Moroccan king ill, forced to miss Chirac funeral service

RABAT (Reuters) - Doctors have advised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to rest for several days to recover from a viral lung infection that forced him to miss a remembrance ceremony in Paris for France’s late president Jacques Chirac, the palace said on Sunday.

In a rare statement on the health of the 56-year-old monarch, who last year underwent heart surgery, the palace said Mohammed had been unable to attend the commemoration event for Chirac, who died last week aged 86.

The palace noted in its statement the “strong ties” between the Chirac family and the ruling dynasty in Morocco, a former French protectorate.

Chirac served as French president from 1995 to 2005. His funeral will take place on Monday and Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan will represent Morocco at the event.