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Saudi, Morocco Agree More Anti-Terror Cooperation | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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King Mohammed VI of Morocco waves to well-wishers as he is flanked by Saudi King Abdullah (AFP)


King Mohammed VI of Morocco waves to well-wishers as he is flanked by Saudi King Abdullah (AFP)

King Mohammed VI of Morocco waves to well-wishers as he is flanked by Saudi King Abdullah (AFP)

RABAT, (Reuters) – Morocco and Saudi Arabia plan to reinforce their anti-terrorist cooperation, according to a joint statement on Saturday.

“Morocco and Saudi Arabia expressed their determination to work together to strengthen their cooperation in an efficient and global way and to pursue the struggle against the danger of terrorism,” a communique reported by state media on Saturday.

Islamist militants swearing allegiance to al Qaeda launched a campaign to topple the U.S-allied Saudi monarchy in 2003, carrying out suicide bomb attacks on foreigners and government installations, including the oil industry.

Morocco, another Islamic ally of the U.S., has been on alert against attacks by al Qaeda-linked militants and other groups since 2003 when suicide bombings killed 45 people in Casablanca.

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up last month outside U.S. diplomatic offices in Casablanca, killing only themselves.

Saudi Arabia’s king Abdullah has wrapped up a two-day trip to Morocco, his first official visit to an Arab state since he came to power in 2005.

The two countries agreed to fight radical Islamist ideology they said is tarnishing the image of Islam abroad.

Morocco and Saudi Arabia signed a pact to “establish cooperation to correct the image of Islam on the world and make known the Islam principles based on tolerance, moderation and rejection of extremism”, the joint statement said.

Morocco's King Mohamed VI and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah talk during a dinner at the King Palace in Fes, central Morocco (AP)

Morocco’s King Mohamed VI and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah talk during a dinner at the King Palace in Fes, central Morocco (AP)

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and King Mohammed VI of Morocco (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and King Mohammed VI of Morocco (AFP)