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RABAT, July 6 (Reuters) - Morocco has raised the national security alert rating to "maximum", the highest level which indicates a radical Islamist attack is expected imminently, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The decision was announced after a meeting of chiefs of police, intelligence and paramilitary forces in the capital Rabat, it added.

"This alert level indicates a serious threat of terrorist action and requires the extreme mobilisation of the security organs," the ministry said, describing the threat in terms Moroccan officials routinely apply to radical Islamists.

It cited "reliable intelligence information" but gave no details about any specific attack threat.

Morocco, a staunch ally of the United States in Washington's declared global war on terror, has been on high alert since 2003 when suicide bombings killed 45 people in Casablanca.

It increased security after seven suicide bombers blew themselves up in Casablanca in March and April, killing themselves and a police officer.

The ministry urged Moroccans to be more vigilant and support the country's efforts against the threat of terrorism, adding more police were being deployed to step up surveillance.

It warned that the security threat against the country would not be short-lived.

"In view of the long-term nature of the threat and the requirements of the struggle against terrorism, the operational capabilities of security forces have been reinforced as part of a three-year plan to upgrade human resources and equipment of the security services," the ministry added.

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