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MARRAKECH, Morocco – Moroccan King Mohammed VI vowed Saturday that a bombing in the heart of the country's tourist hub of Marrakech that killed at least 16 people will not derail the kingdom's program of democratic reforms, the official MAP news agency reported.
The monarch made the comments during a visit to the Argana cafe, where the bomb exploded Thursday.
Mohammed VI spent about 10 minutes inspecting the debris-littered restaurant, which has long been an almost obligatory stop for visitors to Marrakech. The victims included 14 foreigners.
"Such a cowardly criminal attack is contrary to the noble humanist values of respect for the value of life, tolerance, freedom and peace that the Moroccan people hold dear," the king was quoted as saying. "It will only strengthen the Moroccan people's will to stand up to whomever might attempt to derail the model that has been chosen for democratic (reforms) and development."
For the first time since the attack, crime scene investigators opened the cafe to journalists following the monarch's visit.
The monarch made the comments during a visit to the Argana cafe, where the bomb exploded Thursday.
Mohammed VI spent about 10 minutes inspecting the debris-littered restaurant, which has long been an almost obligatory stop for visitors to Marrakech. The victims included 14 foreigners.
"Such a cowardly criminal attack is contrary to the noble humanist values of respect for the value of life, tolerance, freedom and peace that the Moroccan people hold dear," the king was quoted as saying. "It will only strengthen the Moroccan people's will to stand up to whomever might attempt to derail the model that has been chosen for democratic (reforms) and development."
For the first time since the attack, crime scene investigators opened the cafe to journalists following the monarch's visit.