RABAT, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) --The Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani has started consultations to replace dismissed ministers, the government said here on Thursday.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI dismissed on Tuesday four ministers over their involvement in delays of development projects in the northeastern city of Al Hoceima that was rocked by protests for months.
According to a statement from the king's office, the king asked PM to make propositions to replace the ministers that have been dismissed.
"El Othmani is getting down to business, in conformity with the royal instructions, to come up with proposals of names for vacant ministerial portfolios," government spokesperson Mustapha El Khalfi told reporters following the government weekly meeting.
The dismissed are ministers of education, health, national planning, and a secretary of state in charge of vocational training.
In 2015, Morocco launched Lighthouse of the Mediterranean, a large-scale development program in Al Hoceima, but many of its projects have been marred by "delay or failure," according to an official investigation committee set up by the king in June.
The king also reprimanded five other former ministers, who are also incriminated by the investigation commission.
The list of dismissed officials includes also director-general of National Office of Electricity and Water Supply and 14 other lower level public service officials.
