RIYADH, April 9 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's cabinet urged the kingdom's media on Monday to play an active role in the government campaign to stamp out "terrorism".

"Institutions with media and cultural activities should exert more effort to combat the roots of the terrorism phenomenon ideologically and socially... " the cabinet said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz has urged clerics to help eradicate the "virus" of radical Islamism and show greater resolve in contesting the views of radicals in the kingdom and abroad who have issued edicts that likened attacks on the government and foreigners to jihad or holy struggle.

Militants loyal to al Qaeda launched a violent campaign to topple the U.S.-allied monarchy in 2003, carrying out suicide bomb attacks on foreigners and government installations, including the oil industry.

The cabinet hailed securiy bodies' "success in cornering this pheonomenon ... and the sacrafices of security personnel in confronting terrorism."

Tough security measures helped curb the violence but analysts and diplomats say radical Islamic ideology and anger at Western policy remain strong.

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