Rabat  — HM King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to Driss Lachgar who was elected, on Sunday, as first secretary general of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) during the party's 9th congress.

In this message, HM the King extends to Lachgar his heartfelt congratulations and wishes him success in his new mission.

The choice by the party's activists of Lachgar as leader of the USFP party mirrors "the esteem they have for your outstanding political career, intellectual abilities, political experience and commitment to defending the party's principles and progressive values," HM the King said.

The sovereign said he was convinced that the new first secretary general of the USFP party, thanks to his sincere patriotism, his unwavering attachment to the Nation's immutable, sacred values, his qualities of a seasoned man of state and his sense of duty, will spare no effort to strengthen the party's place on the national political scene and continue its active contribution, along with other Moroccan parties, to reinforce the democratic and development model led by the Sovereign, to serve the homeland and citizens' higher interests.

The monarch also paid tribute to the party's former Secretary general Abdelouahed Radi for what he did to serve the homeland and his political formation with competence, selflessness and devotion.