Morocco raises stakes in diplomatic spat with ally France
 

* Rabat halts judicial cooperation with Paris * Judicial suspension hits penal, civil procedures * Row follows move to question intelligence chief * Analysts say UN vote on Western Sahara a factor (Adds Moroccan, French reaction) By Aziz El Yaakoubi and John Irish RABAT/PARIS Feb 27 (Reuters) - Morocco has halted judicial cooperation with France, blocking procedures from prisoner transfers to joint investigations, officials said on Thursday, in a growing dispute with its former colonial ruler over allegations of human rights abuses. French President Francois Hollande spoke to the Moroccan king this week to try to defuse the rare row with Rabat, an ally under fire from rights groups over police abuses, press freedom and judicial independence.

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