King quick to launch reforms

Dubai: In February thousands of Moroccans also took to the streets in big cities calling for the king to give up some of his powers and dismiss the government.

Demonstrators also sought the rule of law, freedom and more political participation and used Facebook and Twitter to spread their message. King Mohammad VI swiftly reacted by introducing sweeping constitutional reforms.

In March King Mohammad announced he would overhaul the constitution and set up a hand-picked committee to draft changes by June, which include a stronger parliament, a bigger role for local officials and an independent judiciary.

In May police use truncheons to break up anti-government protests in several cities, apparently signalling a tougher government line against the February 20 movement.

On June 17, Mohammad promised a new democratic constitution devolving some of his powers to parliament and the government and set up a referendum just two weeks later. On July 1, the referendum passed constitutional changes. The government was granted executive powers, but the king would remain the head of the army, religious authorities and the judiciary.

Elections

Parliamentary polls held on November 25 gave the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) a majority in the new government, and Abdelilah Benkirane, head of the party, was picked as Prime Minister.

Ambassador Eneko Landaburu head of the EU delegation to Morocco said that his country was different than many other Arab countries calling for regime change in that there was a strong "attachment of Moroccans to the king".

"There is a majority of Moroccans who want the king to lead the evolution of the country towards greater democracy," she said. Morocco's king continues to be the commander in chief of the army.

He can dissolve the parliament and has the final say in legal and religious questions. Nonetheless, there is no broad movement in Morocco demanding the monarchy be completely abolished.