Mohamed Benaissa Appointed Morocco's Foreign Minister

ing Hassan II has appointed this Thursday Mohamed Benaissa as Morocco's minister of foreign affairs and cooperation in replacement of Abdellatif Filali. Benaissa, 62, who held the portfolio of cultural affairs from 1985 to 1992 was appointed ambassador to the United States in 1993, a post he held till this appointment as foreign affairs and cooperation minister.

A statement by the royal office said that King Hassan II, after he held a long meeting with Abdellatif Filali on Thursday, decided to discharge him from the position he holds in the cabinet.

The sovereign lauded Filali's patriotic spirit and the laudable qualities he showed while fulfilling his mission either under the reign of King Hassan II or under the reign of his father, the late king Mohammed V, a fact that won him respect and consideration, the statement said.

The statement added that Filali's earnest, uprightness and self-denial in fulfilling his mission as well as his exemplary behavior won him the admiration of all those who had the opportunity to contact him.

King Hassan II then appointed Mohamed Benaissa as minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, the statement said.