King Hassan II

Following some way behind were the biggest opposition party the Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires (USFP) which won most seats; centre-right politicians who held on to their regional power bases; and a group of moderate Islamists – who accept King Hassan II's dominant role in the kingdom but argue he should oversee a return to core values including Sharia law – who for the first time enter parliament...

The rules have been laid out by Basri who following the illness of King Hassan II in late 1995 and the politically motivated 'clean-up campaign' of early 1996 has made himself the pivotal force in local politics...

After telephoning King Hassan II on the evening of 11 June Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelatif Fillali conceded to direct talks in Lisbon...

There are also reports of complaints about ADB problems being made directly to King Hassan II...

Rabat is willing to open up more to London (though King Hassan II's close relations with President Jacques Chirac dominate Rabat's policy) but harbours suspicions about Labour sympathies with the Polisario Front...

Like those in September these would need to be low-profile to protect King Hassan II's policy endorsed by Moroccan political parties of a plebiscite legitimising Rabat's rule...

Savimbi is particularly close to President Mobutu Sese Seko and King Hassan II...

Underlying King Hassan II's gradualist reform is his determination to undercut Islamist groups and avoid the mistakes that he believes have been made in Algeria and Egypt – and to prepare for the succession...

But King Hassan II is likely to be cautious...

Polisario is convinced Washington has been leaning on King Hassan IIs while Rabat at first reluctant to admit talks had happened at all says 'the [King's] palace is open to all Moroccans misguided or not'...