LaNUBlog™

The Kingdom of Morocco is the most westerly of the North African countries known as the Maghreb - the "Arab West". It has Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, a rugged mountain interior and a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Its rich culture is a blend of Arab, Berber, European and African influences. Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956, when Sultan Mohammed became king. He was succeeded in 1961 by his son, Hassan II, who ruled for 38 years and played a prominent role in the search for peace in the Middle East. He also ruthlessly suppressed domestic opposition. A truth commission set up to investigate human rights violations during his reign confirmed nearly 10,000 cases, ranging from death in detention to forced exile. A former capital, Marrakesh is famed for its architecture Hassan's son and successor in 1999, Mohammed VI, is a cautious moderniser who has introduced some economic and social liberalisation. In 2011 he revised t...

A Moroccan teenage boy and girl have been arrested for posting an online photograph of themselves kissing. The couple - aged 14 and 15 - had their picture taken by a friend outside their school in the north-eastern town of Nador and posted it on Facebook. They were held for violating public decency after a local newspaper printed the photo. The couple are due appear before a juvenile court next week. A campaign to post a million copycat photos was later launched in protest.