New Moroccan party linked to king

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7644247.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A new political party in Morocco backed by a close friend of King Mohammed VI is forming an alliance that should create the biggest group in parliament.

The BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Rabat, says the alliance could become a dominant force in Moroccan politics.

The Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam) was created in August and several smaller parties have already agreed to join it.

It is inspired by Fouad Ali al-Himma, who went to school with the king.

Since King Mohammed ascended to the throne in 1999, there has been some economic and social liberalisation in Morocco, but the monarch has retained sweeping powers.

'Real force'

Mr al-Himma is not the nominal head of the Pam, but the movement is commonly referred to as "al-Himma's party", our correspondent says.

At a press conference announcing the party's alliance with the National Rally of Independents photographers clustered round Mr al-Himma rather than those on the podium, indicating who is perceived as the real force.

Although parliament has little power in Morocco, it seems clear that the man who moved into politics with the king's benediction is set for a growing role, our reporter says.

The new alliance should form the biggest single parliamentary group, though it would be short of an overall majority.

Observers have speculated that the Pam presents a counterweight to the popular, moderate Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD).

But Hassan Benaddi, secretary-general of the Pam, said his party did not intend to "overcome" anyone.

He said the party would stand for "democratic and open Morocco, but one which is very attached to what it is, attached to its foundations as a nation which has its own particular history as the heart of the Arab Muslim world".