20110107
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Twenty-seven suspected terrorists recently smashed by the Moroccan security forces have links "with extremists of different nationalities in European countries," the Moroccan Interior Minister said Wednesday.

According to state-run Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP), Taib Cherkaoui said that the terrorist cell includes a member of Al- Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), who was tasked by this organization to set up a rear base in Morocco where it would plan terrorist acts.

"This cell planned to commit terrorist attacks using bomb belts and car bombs targeting security services in particular," he added.

"The cell's members attempted to hold up bank agencies in Casablanca and Rabat to get funds needed to finance their terrorist schemes," he noted.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the cell was trying to gather members of some previously dismantled terrorist organizations.

"Investigations led to discovering an arms arsenal hidden in three locations near Amghala, 220 km from the Laayoune (Morocco's south)," Cherqaoui said.

He added that four of the suspects were nabbed near the Algerian-Moroccan border.

Morocco is an outstanding tourist destination and ally in the U. S. effort to counter terrorism. The government has regularly busted terror suspects since 2003 when attacks in Casablanca killed 45 people.