IMPLICATING THE ISLAMISTS:

Morocco conservatives win most assembly seats (Reuters, 9/08/07)

Morocco's conservative Istiqlal party, a member of the kingdom's ruling coalition, won most seats in parliamentary elections, according to provisional results released by the government.

Istiqlal (Independence) won 52 seats including those assigned to a national women's list, ahead of the Islamist Justice and Development party (PJD) with 47 seats, Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa told reporters.

The liberal conservative Popular Movement (MP) and the National Rally of Independents (RNI) won 43 and 38 seats respectively, while the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Istiqlal's main coalition partner, won 36.