"Morocco pursued a comprehensive counterterrorism approach that emphasized vigilant security measures, including international cooperation and innovation in the area of counter-radicalization policies," the State Department said in its 2009 annual terrorism report, released on Thursday in Washington.

   According to the report, "the Moroccan government pursued a comprehensive counterterrorism approach that, building on popular rejection of terrorism, emphasized neutralizing existing terrorist cells through traditional intelligence work and preemptive security measures."

    It stressed that the north African country "aggressively targeted and dismantled terrorist cells within the Kingdom by leveraging intelligence collection, police work, and collaboration with regional and other international partners."

   In addition, it noted HM King Mohammed VI’s “significant efforts to reduce extremism and dissuade individuals from becoming radicalized,” recalling that each Ramadan, for example, the King hosts a series of religious lectures, inviting Muslim speakers from around the world to promote moderate and peaceful religious viewpoints.

    The State Department added that the Moroccan Government continued to implement internal reforms aimed at ameliorating the socio-economic factors, citing, in this regard, the National Initiative for Human Development, launched by HM the King in 2005 to generate employment, combat poverty, and improve infrastructure.

    It also noted that “the Government of Morocco made public commitments that the struggle against terrorism would not be used to deprive individuals of their rights and emphasized as part of its approach adherence to human rights standards and increased law enforcement transparency.”

    The document highlighted the laws adopted by Morocco to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, adding that these actions have provided the legal basis for the monitoring, investigation, and prosecution of illegal financial activities.

    It underlined the “solid cooperative relationships” Morocco forged especially with the United States and European and African partners in countering terrorism, adding that the Kingdom is considered a Mediterranean Dialogue partner of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and also cooperated with regional partners on a bilateral basis.