First female prime minister named in Morocco after winning elections

Fatima Zahra El Mansouri has been named Morocco's first female prime minister, after her centrist Authenticity and Modernity Party (Pam) won the most seats in last week's parliamentary elections.

Her appointment makes her only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world, after Tunisia's Najla Bouden.

She was named by King Mohammed VI, who chose her as prime minister over the country's football chief Fouzi Lekjaa, a top politician from the same party. El Mansouri, 50, has been the mayor of Marrakesh for a number of years and also served as a minister in the previous coalition government.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy but most power remains in the hands of the king.

At a victory press conference, prior to her announcement as prime minister, El Mansouri was asked whether the state would need to make changes to accommodate her in Muslim religious ceremonies attended by the king, including Friday and Eid prayers, where men and women pray in separate sections.

She did not directly answer the question, instead praising the king as "the biggest advocate for women" in the country.

"His Majesty is the holder of wisdom… If I am entrusted with the responsibility of head of government, it will be a great honour," she said.

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