Midaoui takes over from Basri as head of the interior dept

Ahmed Midaoui, appointed yesterday by King Mohammed VI as minister of the interior, taking over from Driss Basri, announced the guidelines of his policy at the head of the department.

Midaoui said he finds his guidelines in royal addresses aiming at building a modern state open onto the world and deeply rooted in tradition. He said he would help strengthen democracy, reconcile citizens with the administration, share with all operators in building economic development and overcome problems.

The path to follow is the one leading the kingdom into tomorrow's world and raising it to the rank it deserves, the faculty member and former national security director said. Midaoui said he would work in close cooperation with government members and other actors under the leadership of King Mohammed VI to promote democracy and see to the advent of a free, just and thriving Morocco, he said.

In the taking-over ceremony, outgoing Basri congratulated Midaoui and former director of the private Cabinet of the then-Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed, Fouad Ali El Himma, appointed by the sovereign secretary of state to the interior. Basri invited all the staff to carry on untiring efforts in serving the country.