Court validates election of Chabat as Secretary General of Istiqlal Party

The appeals sought to invalidate of the election of Hamid Chabat at the head of the party and the party's executive committee, from the 16th Party Congress and  also the seizure of property of the body, the  radio station "Le 20 Heures" reported.

Hamid Chabat and senior members of the Istiqlal party presented a memorandum calling for a cabinet reshuffle which would redistribute cabinet posts amongst the coalition parties according to the number of votes caste in the last elections. He also called for economic policy to be reviewed by a coalition committee rather than leaving decisons  to the PJD the leading party inthe coalition which so far has dominated government decision making.

Mr Chabat severely criticised the Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and the PJD for the government's lack of results. If the verdict had gone against Mr Chabat his memorandum would have been invalidated.

The second second session of the National Council of the Istiqlal party is being held Friday and Saturday in Rabat .