Rabat, January 6, 2012 (MAP)
Rabat, January 6, 2012 (MAP)
The violent events that shook the northern city of Taza, the first Cabinet meeting, the government program as well as Spanish efforts to seek a new fisheries agreement with Morocco were the issues that dominated the front pages of Friday’s dailies.
Benkirane’s government faces first social protest, writes Le Soir Echo, commenting on the violent clashes that erupted between inhabitants of Kourcha neighborhood, students and unemployed graduates and law enforcement elements.
The majority of papers report that the violent incidents took place in some neighborhoods surrounding the University of Taza, adding that shops and cafes were sacked and a police vehicle was torched.
The violence left dozens injured, and several others arrested in addition to material damage to private property, writes Al Ahdath Al Maghribia.
Concerning the first cabinet meeting, Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb writes that the first cabinet meeting examined the governmental program which will be finalized next week to be submitted to the approval of the Ministers’ Council and the Parliament.
Al Bayane says that, for Benkirane, the first cabinet meeting was aimed at “reconciling the citizen with the state institutions”. It adds that the Head of Government delivered a speech about the general orientation of the cabinet and recalled the tremendous tasks awaiting the ministers and the citizens’ aspirations.
Assabah quotes Abdelhadi Khairat of the USFP (opposition) as criticizing the new government for including some portfolios that are not mentioned in the constitution, such as State Minister, Secretary General of the Government or Ministers Delegates.
The situation in the RNI party (opposition) also drew the attention of several dailies. Al Massae points that the RNI will hold a meeting on January 20-21 to examine the party’s new position in the opposition. Assabah, for its part, writes that RNI has decided to put an end to its alliance with the Constitutional Union party (UC).
The consequences of the scrapping of the Morocco-EU fisheries deal on Spain was another issue that was largely discussed. Bayane Al Yaoum notes that Spain intends to put pressure on the EU in order to sign a new fisheries deal with Morocco, pointing that the Spanish off coast fishing confederation deems the non-renewal of the deal as a “serious mistake”.
Aujourd’hui le Maroc says that Moroccan fishermen are not enthusiastic about the renewal of the fisheries agreement with Spain.
Other issues that draw the attention of the press on Friday include the reasons that pushed Morocco to give up the post of Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean served by Youssef Amrani, who was appointed Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in the new government.
