Morocco's king replaces PM amid deadlock

Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane is being replaced by the king following months of post-election deadlock.

Moroccan King Mohammed VI is replacing Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and will ask another member of the Islamist Justice and Development Party to form a government after five months of post-election deadlock.

A statement from the royal cabinet said on Wednesday the king took the decision "in the absence of signs that suggest an imminent formation" of a government and due to "his concern about overcoming the current blockage" in political negotiations.