Morocco witnesses King's coronation anniversary

Delegations from various provinces of the nation have attended the allegiance ceremony marking King Mohammed VI's 14th anniversary of the Monarch coronation. The King, dressed in traditional royal costumes and riding an ornamented horse, was given allegiance by the nation notables, tribal leaders, officials and leading figures at the ceremony, held on Saturday, at the Mechouar square of Rabat Royal Palace. King Mohammed VI was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and princes. At the beginning of this ceremony, Interior Minister Mohand Laenser, Governors of the kingdom's prefectures and provinces swore allegiance to the Monarch. Afterwards, delegations representing different regions, prefectures and provinces of the Kingdom followed suit. The allegiance or "baiaa" is a centuries-old pact binding the Throne and the people. It is a mutual commitment whereby the people pledge loyalty to the King and the Monarch pledges to defend the independence, sovereignty and integrity of the country, to preserve the citizens' rights and to see to the prosperity and progress of the nation, according to the official Moroccan news agency (MAP). The ceremony took place in the presence of the Head of government, Speakers of the two houses of parliament, the King's advisers, cabinet members, high commissioners, chairmen of constitutional bodies, president of the Royal advisory council for Sahara affairs, heads of Royal cabinets, high military officers, General Director of the national police, and other civil and military figures. Mohammed VI, born on August 21, 1963, acceded to the throne on July 23, 1999, upon demise of his father, King Hassan II.