Morocco’s National Day, Call for Parliamentary Elections

Morocco celebrated it’s National Day-Day of the Throne on Saturday and received congratulatory remarks from government officials around the world.  King Mohammed VI pardoned 14 prisoners and commuted the sentences of 954 others on the night of his coronation’s 12th anniversary, which is traditional on Throne Day.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “During this time of profound change in the Middle East and North Africa, the United States supports your efforts to strengthen the rule of law, human rights and good governance. I congratulate King Mohamed VI and the Moroccan people on the peaceful constitutional referendum held July 1, and welcome it as an important step toward democratic reform.”

Moroccan Ambassador to Jordan Hassan Abdul Khaliq reported that Jordan and Morocco are looking forward to increase joint Arab action to serve “the higher interests of the Arab nations and address challenges facing the Arab and Islamic nations” in a press conference on the National Day.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent “heartfelt wishes” and congratulations to Moroccan King Mohammad VI for National Day, as did Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Morocco’s King Mohammed called for prompt parliamentary elections on Saturday in his first address since the refrendum was passed in an effort to lead the country to create a new government. The interior minister has been negotiating with political parties on when to hold the vote, but have yet to decide on a date.