Policemen chase after demonstrators in Rabat May 22, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

RABAT/CASABLANCA - Moroccan police beat protesters who defied a ban on demonstrations across the country on Sunday, leading to arrests and dozens of injuries, some of them life threatening, witnesses said.

The violence appears to signal a tougher government line against the protest movement, which has become more defiant after festive demonstrations starting in February, but has yet to attract mass public support.

Some protesters are also becoming more outspoken about criticising King Mohammed but the demonstrations have failed to match the scale of those in several other Arab countries.

Much of the anger was directed at the Makhzen, Morocco's royal court. "Protest is a legal right, why is the Makhzen afraid?" crowds in Casablanca chanted. "Makhzen get out. Down with despotism."

A Reuters correspondent saw seven riot police attacking one bearded man in his 30s, repeatedly hitting his head and body, causing severe bleeding.

"We have been called here to preserve order because of this unauthorised protest," said a senior police officer on the scene who declined to give his name.

In Fes, three leading members of the city's protest movement were in "very critical condition", said demonstrator Fathallah al-Hamdani. Injured were also reported in Tangier and elsewhere.

No one was available at the Interior Ministry to comment on the protesters' reports.

Protesters wanted to camp in front of the parliament in Rabat, but authorities were anxious to avoid a repeat of the events in Cairo earlier this year when protesters occupying Tahrir Square eventually helped to topple the government.

In major cities, police armed with batons and shields moved people off the streets wherever they gathered. Protesters broke off into smaller groups, often with police chasing behind.

One protest leader in Rabat who had already been beaten a week ago suffered severe concussion on Sunday, said protester Jalal Makhfi.