Many Islamists oppose women's demands for more rights

Most tight-lipped of all was unreformed state television and radio.

Both offered viewers reports on Palestinian protests in Israel, rather than those closer to home.

But it is a sign of a new media-savvy Islamist opposition that is seeking to challenge the authorities' grasp on information.

In a country where over half the population are illiterate, the internet lacks the reach of television.

Electronic dissent

However, Morocco is now Africa's third largest internet user, and photos can be downloaded and printed in cybercafes in even the smallest country towns.

Islamists have long collected bootlegged cassettes of their favourite preachers, and circulated videos of their largest marches.

Now they have e-mails of beaten supporters to add to their expanding library of electronic dissent.

An uneasy calm has now returned to Rabat. Security forces have cordoned off the centre to prevent further protests at parliament's gates and the streets which normally buzz during Ramadan are silent.