Due to an ailment, King Mohammed VI to be represented by Moulay Hassan at Jacques Chirac's funeral

«HM King Mohammed VI has recently contracted an acute bilateral pneumonitis of viral origin», a communiqué issued by the Royal Office reported Sunday.

As a result, the personal physician of the King prescribed a medical rest of few days.

The King had planned to go to France, in order to offer, in private, his condolences to the family and relatives of late President Jacques Chirac, given the strong and deep relations that have always linked the two families and the special affection and esteem by the Sovereign towards this great friend of Morocco.

The King will be represented at the official funeral of the late French President by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan.