French president hails lucidity and courage of king's amendment to family law

French president Jacques Chirac hailed this Saturday the "lucidity and courage" of amendments to the family law (Mudawana) proposed on Friday by King Mohammed VI at the opening of the parliament's fall session.

The French president who was addressing the Moroccan Parliament's two chambers in a special session said the reform is "a considerable headway for the Moroccan society," adding that his country is naturally hailing the wisdom with which the reform was conducted.

After he praised the important number of women sitting in the parliament, the French president, on a state visit to the Kingdom, also noted that for the first time in the history of Moroccan diplomacy, such an important issue is tabled at the parliament.

For Chirac, the Kingdom "is a source of inspiration to anyone seeking a harmonious co-existence between religion and the State in a modern society" and France, attached to secularism and home to a large Muslim community, considers the Moroccan experience as a "leading one."

Chirac also voiced confidence that "Morocco's liberal democracy approach, backed by the Kingdom's religious identity, will be the best defense against attacks of fanatic and blind enemies," stressing the support of France and Europe to Morocco in its efforts to meet the immense challenges of its society.