Moroccan king sacks economy, finance minister

By Mohamed al-Tahiri

RABAT

Following consultations with Prime Minister Saad Eddine al-Othmani, Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Wednesday sacked Economy and Finance Minister Mohamed Boussaid.

According to a statement released by the royal court and carried by Morocco’s official press agency, the decision was “based on the principle of accountability, which His Majesty seeks to apply to all officials, regardless of rank or affiliation”.

The statement did not, however, provide a reason for Boussaid’s abrupt dismissal.

A member of Morocco’s National Rally of Independents party, Boussaid was given the government’s economy and finance portfolio in 2013 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane.