Morocco has sworn its new government under its first female prime minister, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, in a ceremony presided over by King Mohammed VI.
Ms El Mansouri kept several members of the former government in their posts, including Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit. The 20 members of her cabinet also includes 11 ministers delegate.
The government formation came after Ms El Mansouri's centrist Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which won the election on September 23, reached a deal with three other parties this week. The coalition, which includes moderate socialist parties and the nationalist Istiqlal, together hold 207 seats in parliament, above the 198 needed for a majority.
Other cabinet members who kept their posts were Justice Minister Abdel Latif Wahbi, Nizar Baraka as Minister of Equipment, Water and Forests, Riadh Mezzour as Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and Economic Integration, and Abdellatif Loudiyi as Minister Delegate in charge of Defence.
Morocco's football federation chief and former budget minister Fouzi Lekjaa was appointed as the Economy and Finance Minister, state news agency MAP reported.
PAM member Khalid Hatimi was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries and Food Sovereignty.
Leader of the Party of Progress and Socialism, Nabil Benabdallah, a former housing minister, returned to government as Education Minister, while fellow PPS member Charafat Afailal was named Energy Minister.
Ms Afailal is one of two women appointed as ministers by Ms El Mansouri, along with Najwa Kokos, who was given the portfolio of Family, Social Development and Equality. Four of the 11 ministers delegate are also women.
The new government is under pressure to address unemployment and demands for better education and health services. It will also oversee the final stages of a $20 billion push to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco is to co-host with Portugal and Spain.
