Nine Algerian Islamists arrested in Morocco, following massacre

Moroccan security sources said that nine members of Algerian Islamic groups suspected of having committed a crime which claimed the lives of 29 persons on August 15 in southwest Algeria were arrested in Morocco and that they are detained by the Moroccan military security system.

The source stated that the nine men were arrested just a few hours after the massacre after they had fled to the Moroccan territories and that contrary to information published by the Algerian dailies, none of the nine men was handed over to the Algerian authorities.

This arrest comes in light of the noticeable improvement that the two states' are currently witnessing, where they are about to open the borders between them, were closed since 1994.

Moroccan sources said that the terrorists did not find a hiding place in Algeria, so they resorted to Morocco, which assures that the Algerian security became strong and active in the reign of the Algerian president Bouteflika.

The sources said that the terrorists are still in Moroccan jails and could be handed over to Algeria during the meeting that will be held between Bouteflika and King Mohammed VI of Morocco during the ceremony marking the fortieth day since King Hassan II's death.