Islamic party gains ground in Moroccan election

Morocco's socialists emerged as favourites yesterday to lead another coalition government, but they and others said they would keep out an Islamic party that trebled its parliamentary representation in Friday's election, gaining nearly 10 per cent of the seats.

Preliminary results gave the socialists of Abderrahmane Youssoufi, prime minister in the last legislature, an early lead, with the seven parties that formed the previous coalition securing 160 of the 284 seats by yesterday. Forty-one results had still to be declared.

In a measure of toughening Islamic sentiment, a party with leaders who hope to see Islamic law applied emerged as a significant force. Some members of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) say they want to ban alcohol and make women wear veils.(AP)