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| Morocco Hails Birth of Prince, Opens Jails |
| By Reuters |
| Published: 05/12/2003 |
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King Mohammed of Morocco celebrated the birth of a son and heir yesterday by ordering the release of more than 9,000 prisoners from Morocco's crowded jails, one of the biggest royal pardons in the country's history. A Moroccan Royal Palace communique announced the birth to the royal couple of a son, Moulay El Hassan (Prince Hassan), in Rabat and said mother and baby were in good health. The prince is the couple's first child. With flags and decorations adorning Moroccan city centers for the past week, news of the crown prince's birth had been awaited with great anticipation. In Morocco, the monarchy retains wide executive powers. Television footage released by the palace showed the king, smiling and in casual dress, holding the newborn. The king also appeared briefly outside the Royal Palace in Rabat to greet onlookers. The official MAP news agency said Mohammed had decided to free 9,459 prisoners, including 293 foreigners, and to reduce the jail sentences of 38,529 others to celebrate his son's birth. MAP did not say whether jailed political activists were included. The decrepit state of Morocco's overcrowded prisons has often been criticized, especially after the death in November of 50 inmates in a fire that ravaged a prison in El Jadida, on the Atlantic coast. Mohammed, 39, came to the throne in July 1999 after the death of his father, Hassan, who ruled the Muslim North African country for 38 years. The Alawite dynasty to which they belong has ruled Morocco since 1665. In 2002, Mohammed married Salma Bennani, a 25-year-old computer systems engineer. She received the title of princess -- a break with the tradition that the king's wife was known as ''mother of the princes'' and never appeared in public. In neighboring Algeria meanwhile, state radio said President Abdelaziz Bouteflika had marked the forthcoming birthday of the Prophet Mohammed by pardoning 5,000 inmates. |
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