"I regret to confirm that Mr Alessandro Missir di Lusignano, an Italian official posted in the Commission delegation in Morocco, and his wife, Ms Arianne Lagasse de Locht, a Belgium citizen, were killed last night at their home in Rabat. According to the first information made available by the Moroccan police, the killing was followed by theft.

We are profoundly shocked by this horrific attack and expresse our condolences to the four children of the victims, their families and friends.

The Moroccan authorities have expressed their deepest regrets and have ensured the Commission Delegation of their full support and cooperation in the investigation. They are committed to deploy all necessary measures to identify the perpetrators of this horrible crime and to bring them to justice."