Morocco rocked by youth protests

Sixty Moroccan public figures on Wednesday appealed to King Mohammed VI to implement reforms and tackle corruption after mass youth-led protests that have shaken the country.

The open letter — signed by academics, artists and human rights defenders — backed the demonstrations and came ahead of the king's annual speech on Friday.

"We are addressing you because you hold the ultimate authority and ultimate responsibility in this country," the signatories wrote, urging the monarch to "act in depth".

"The people of Morocco are suffering, and its youth are shouting about it in the streets."

The protests erupted in late September with calls for reforms to public education and healthcare, after eight pregnant women died at a public hospital.

On Tuesday, another woman died at the same hospital after being transferred from a smaller facility following a Caesarean section. The health ministry said an investigation had been opened to determine the circumstances of her death.