Morocco's Islamists say not pushing for religious state

The main Islamist movement in Morocco defended itself Wednesday against allegations it was manipulating pro-reform protests, saying it was not pushing for the establishment of a religious state.

Moroccan authorities accuse the Justice and Charity group and the radical left of manipulating the February 20 Movement behind a series of protests demanding political reform and a limit to King Mohammed VI's powers.

"We can say loud and clear that the Justice and Charity movement is not calling for the installation of a religious state and that it is in favour of a civil state," one of its leaders, Nadia Yassine, said.

The Islamist movement is officially banned but tolerated.

"It is the first time that we are saying this in such an explicit manner because the context, linked notably to the emergence of the February 20 Movement, demands it," Yassine said.

Yassine said it was "listening" to the demands of the youth leading the protests. Asked about the group's position on state secularism, she said that would require debate.

Authorities say the movement has up to 40,000 members but its own estimates are closer to 200,000, political analyst Mohamed Darif said.

The protests, inspired by a popular uprising that overthrew Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January, have drawn thousands of people onto the streets, prompting the king to announce plans in March for major reforms.