His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, received, on Saturday at the Royal Palace of Tetouan, the presidents of the twelve regions of the Kingdom, who were elected following the local and regional elections of 4 September, indicates a press release from the Royal Cabinet.

The Sovereign also received the walis that HM the King was pleased to appoint, according to the administrative division of the Kingdom, during the Council of Ministers chaired by the Sovereign on Tuesday 13 October, adds the press release.

During these audiences, the presidents of the regions and the walis took the oath before His Majesty the King.

These Royal audiences are part of the implementation of advanced regionalisation, enshrined by the Constitution as a democratic choice for the management of regional public affairs, aiming at a qualitative change in the mode of territorial governance, the development and modernisation of State structures, the promotion of integrated development, and this, within the framework of respect for the principles of transparency, efficiency and responsibility, stresses the Royal Cabinet's press release.

They also reflect the royal will to ensure the full success of this major project, through the strengthening of coordination and cooperation between authorities, public establishments and elected councils, local and regional, each according to their attributions, and this, in the service of the general interest and within the framework of the policy of proximity and listening to the expectations and aspirations of citizens, continues the press release.

These audiences took place in the presence of the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Mohamed Hassad, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Cherki Drais and the Chamberlain of HM the King, Sidi Mohammed El Alaoui.