5 Moroccan airports closed because of volcanic ash

RABAT (Morocco): Morocco's state news agency says transport authorities have closed Casablanca airport and four others because of a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland.

The MAP news agency cites the Transport Ministry as saying the airports are closed until Tuesday afternoon ``to guarantee a maximum level of security for passengers.''

The airports affected are Casablanca, Rabat-Sale, Tangiers, Tetouan and Essaouira.

Morocco's airports were not affected when the eruption of the volcano in Iceland forced a five-day suspension of air traffic in Europe last month.