Rabat, Morocco – The Moroccan Minister of Interior, Taieb Cherqaoui, on Monday announced that five people had been killed and 128 injured during the anti-government demonstrations that took place Sunday in several towns across the country. The demonstrators are calling for political reforms and improved living conditions. 'The burnt bodies of five people have been found in one of the bank agencies set ablaze by the demonstrators in the town of Al Hoceima, in the north of the country,' said Mr. Cherqaoui, during a press conference in Rabat.

He also said that 33 public buildings, 24 banks, 50 shops and private buildings, as well as 66 vehicles had been set ablaze or damaged.

Mr. Cherqaoui said that an investigation had been conducted and that 120 people had been arrested following these troubles.

He said that the injured included 115 members of the security forces.

'The demonstrations took several forms: sit-in, marches and rallies,' he said, adding that 'thanks to the atmosphere of freedom, to the sound and authentic democratic practice and to the freedom of expression in the country, these demonstrations took place peacefully, with serenity and discipline'.

However, he noted, 'the government is determined guarantee an atmosphere of freedom of expression, and will match with force anything likely to affect the law and order, the security of the citizens or their properties'.

Several thousands of people demonstrated Sunday in several towns, calling for political reforms and improved living conditions.

This is in response to the call by young Moroccans on Facebook who called their movement '20 February'.

In order to prevent the Tunisia- and Egypt-like youth revolutions, the Moroccan authorities recently increased subsidies on prices of commodities to hold down prices of goods.

Youth revolutions across the Arab world have already claimed the Egyptian and Tunisian presidents while Libya has been cracking down on similar protesters.

Pana 22/02/2011