King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan announces demise of King Hassan II

His Majesty the King, Commander of the Faithful, Mohammed Ibn Al-Hassan, announced on Friday in a televised statement, the demise of his father, H.M. King Hassan II.

Here follows the translation of the statement:

"In the name of God, the Clement, the Merciful,

The Most High Said:

"O peaceful soul... Return to your Lord, satisfied and accepted. Be thus with my servants, enter my paradise."

With a heart filled with faith and believing in the will of God, I announce to the faithful Moroccan people, to the Arab and Islamic Ummah and to the whole world, the demise of a great leader, one of the most distinguished personalities of the World and a King counted among the glorious kings of Morocco, His Majesty King Hassan II, May God rest his soul, on Friday at 16H30, following a heart attack due to complications that resisted all treatment.

In these painful circumstances, I address my condolences to the faithful Moroccan people, who have always expressed affection, loyalty and faithfulness to this Great King.

I also call the Moroccan people to be armed with patience and serenity.

May God rest the soul of our dear deceased. May the Almighty have him in his vast paradise beside the prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints.

We are to God and to Him we shall return. No other Omnipotence, nor Strength but those of God."