Sources explain Istiqlal’s insistence on Transport Ministry

Prime Minister AbdelilahBenkiran & Abbas El Fassi Moroccan political sources revealed on Monday that disagreement occurred between Secretary General of Independence (Istiqlal) Party, Abbas Al-Fasi, and the Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane hours before the official announcement of the formation of the new Moroccan government.
According to sources, the disagreement is due to Istiqlal’s insistence on holding the Ministry of Transport and Equipment.  
Political analysts say that PJD agreed on appointing the Former minister and Istiqlal Party member Karim Ghellab as the speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, to compensate Istiqlal Party for this portfolio, especially as the Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives is the third public figure in the Moroccan constitution.
Meanwhile, political sources confirmed that Istiqlal’s insistence on this ministry is because of its financial and political benefits.
The sources, who asked not to be named, said that the party spent a lot of money on the electioneering, about $ 1840000, aiming to attain this ministry.
Observers believe that Istiqlal’s pressure on the PM borders on ‘blackmail’; especially that Abbas Al-Fassi is the main ally to PJD on the government.
According to close sources in the party, Istiqlal party selected Mohammed Al-Soussi and Abdel Wahid Al-Fssi from the party Executive Committee to inform the PM with the party’s decision, which is to either have a consistent government or the party will support the government without participating in it. The sources added that the party is dissatisfied because the PJD holds the Ministry of Transport and Equipment.
Benkirane stated, Saturday evening that the anticipated government is to be announced in 48 hours, meaning Monday evening, which was a subject of controversy among the Moroccan political analysts, whether Benkirane would postpone his announcement after Istiqlal’s decision.
On the other hand, special political sources contacted by ‘Arabstoday’ revealed some names of Ministers in every party in the new government, which are as follows:
The Party of Justice and Development PJD ministers:
Prime Minister: Abdelilah Benkirane, Minister of State: Abdullah Baha,  Minister of Justice: Mustafa Ramid,  Minister of Transport and Equipment: Abdelghani Lakhdar, Minister of Foreign Affairs: Saad Eddin Ottomani, Minister of Public Service: Abdelaziz Rebbah,  Minister in charge of Relations with Parliament: Lahbib Choubani, Minister of Culture and Communication: Mustafa Al Khalfi, Minister of Higher Education: Lahcen Daoudi,  Secretary of State in charge of Family and Solidarity: Bassima Alhquaoui, and Minister of Finance: Najib Bolif.
Independence (Istiqlal) Party ministers:
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries: Fouad Douiri, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology: Nezar El Baraka, Minister of Youth and Sport: Abdelkader El Kihel, Minister of Education: El Ghali Kenza, Minister of Handicraft: Kayouh Abdessamad, and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: Hamdi Oueld Errachid.
The Popular Movement (PM):
Minister of Interior: Mhaned El Ansar, Minister of Energy and Minerals: Mouhamed Ouzine, Minister of Tourism: Lahcend Haddad, and Minister of Public Service: Driss Merroune.
Party of Progress and Socialism:
Minister of Housing and Urbanization: Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Minister of Employment: Abdelouhaed Sahil, Minister of Health: Lahcen El Ouardi, and Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Charge of Moroccans Living abroad: Kajmoula Bent Abi.