RABAT, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned more than 1,000 people to mark the anniversary of his succession to the throne, a justice ministry statement said Tuesday.

Ten prisoners were to be freed immediately, it said, from a total of 1,030 people given complete or partial amnesty.

It was unclear whether Islamist prisoners were among those given amnesty. Prisoners are regularly pardoned by the king to mark religious or state celebrations.