Rabat: Moroccan authorities dismantled 168 terrorist cells since the US 9/11 attacks, said an Interior Ministry official.

"These cells were dismantled in relation with conflict zones as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria and the Sahel," said Mohamed Moufakkir, the Director General of international cooperation at the Interior Ministry, in his speech at a seminar here on Thursday.

He added that the smashing of these cells helped to catch 2,963 suspects and foil 341 criminal plans.

Moufakkir said that over 1,600 Moroccans travelled to these hot spots, including 147 who returned to Morocco and were questioned, while the other 132 were arrested and brought to justice. In addition, six persons were arrested for attempting to leave the national territory.

--IANS