Moroccan king approves Istiqlal Party resignations

Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane Morocco\'s King Mohammed VI approved on Monday the resignation of five Istiqlal Party government ministers, asking them to remain in office until their replacements are appointed. A statement from the palace said: \"The king has accepted these resignations and urged the outgoing ministers to remain in office until the appointment of others,\" adding that \"This will allow the prime minister to begin consultations to form a new majority.\"
Five of the six Istiqlal Party ministers resigned from the ruling coalition earlier this month, with Education Minister Mohammed al-Wafa refusing to step down.
Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane began consultations with opposition political parties in a bid to find a new coalition partner. On Monday evening, he held talks with the centre-right National Rally of Independents (RNI).
It comes after Hamid Chabat\'s Istiqlal Party made the decision to withdraw from the government and join the opposition.
The consultations are likely to come to an end before Ramadan, and the conclusion of parliament\'s spring session.