RABAT, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Forming a new government is a "difficult task" during "the critical period" Morocco is going through, said the newly-appointed Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani Saturday.
Othmani said that he was "surprised" by the appointment, stressing that forming a new government necessitates "a long term vision."
He added that he will listen first to his party's parliament views before starting talks with other parties.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Friday appointed Othmani, number two in the leadership of the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), as the new prime minister after PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane failed to form a government in five months.
Othmani, 61 years old, was Morocco's foreign minister between 2012 and 2013.
At the meeting of PJD national assembly, former PM Benkirane congratulated Othmani, and said that he is ready to help.
Benkirane has gained support of two parties few weeks after the October elections last year, yet he has been unable to make a deal with a third party to secure the majority of 395-seat parliament.
