Morocco marks king's fifth anniversary
RABAT: A flag-bedecked Morocco yesterday celebrated King Mohammed VI's fifth anniversary on the throne of the north African country with ceremonial pomp, fanfare and a royal pledge of "strengthened democracy".
Giant portraits of the 40-year-old sovereign hung in the squares and avenues of the big cities, alongside the red and green national flags and banners, and three days of festivities officially began.
The king, who succeeded his father Hassan II on July 30, 1999 after the latter's death, said in a broadcast annual Speech from the Throne that "the strengthening of democracy (is) heading the right way and irreversibly so."
He described the process as "a permanent construction site" which had already brought significant progress to the kingdom and would continue with a law regulating political parties to enable them to fulfill their task "of representing and organising the citizens".
Rather than devote the speech to a presentation of his track record in five years, the king took advantage of the broadcast on national television and radio to set out his policies for the future.
"A clear separation must be established between religion and politics, with regard to the sacred nature of teaching expressed in religion, which should be ... sheltered from all discord and dissent," he said.
The king said that the Western Sahara was the "first of all priorities for Morocco" and that a "definitive solution" should be found in the next five years.
The "Saharan provinces" would be granted "broad prerogatives," he added, maintaining the kingdom's position on autonomy rather than independence.
Parties, concerts of popular and orchestral music, and dance and theatre performances will take place during the three days of celebrations in Rabat and the other towns of the country.
HIS Majesty King Hamad, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday sent cables congratulating King Mohammed VI of Morocco on the occasion.
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