Number of deceased during riots that took place on Sunday, February 20, in Al Hoceima in northern Morocco, has risen to five, RIA Novosti reported with reference to the Arab media. Number of injured is at 46.

Mass protests demanding political reform and improved living conditions were held in number of cities in Morocco yesterday.

Few hundred villagers, who came to participate in the demonstrations in the city of Al Hoceima, instigated a riot. 

They broke the windows of shops and banks, torched vehicles, entered into a scuffle with police. As a result of the riots five people were killed and 46 people wounded. They were mostly policemen.

Wave of mass unrest swept the North African countries in early 2011. As a result the ruling regimes in Tunisia and Egypt toppled. In Libya, violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces are continuing, popular discontent covers all the new parts of the country. Protest actions are also taking place in Algeria and Djibouti.