Morocco’s king suffers from acute viral pneumonia

CAIRO: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has been advised to rest for several days to recover from a viral lung infection, canceling his immediate plans, the Royal Court said in a statement issued but the state-run MAP.
The statement said that the king was exposed to acute viral pneumonia, and as a result, would not be able to attend a remembrance ceremony in Paris for France’s late president Jacques Chirac, the palace said on Sunday.
In a rare statement on the health of the 56-year-old monarch, who last year underwent heart surgery, the palace said Mohammed had been unable to attend the commemoration event for Chirac, who died last week aged 86.
The palace noted in its statement the “strong ties” between the Chirac family and the ruling dynasty in Morocco, a former French protectorate.
“The King had decided to travel to France to offer condolences to the family and relatives of the late President Jacques Chirac, in a special framework, in view of the strong and deep relations that have always brought the two countries together and the special bond that the king has for France,” the statement added.
Chirac served as French president from 1995 to 2005. His funeral will take place on Monday and Crown Prince Moulay El-Hassan will represent Morocco at the event.