In 788, about a century after
the Arab conquest of North
Africa, successive Moorish
dynasties began to rule in
Morocco. In the 16th century,
the Sa'adi monarchy,
particularly under Ahmad AL-
MANSUR (1578-1603),
repelled foreign invaders and
inaugurated a golden age.
Morocco virtually
annexed Western Sahara
during the late 1970s, but final
resolution on the status of
the territory remains
unresolved. Gradual political
reforms in the 1990s
resulted in the establishment
of a bicameral legislature,
which first met in 1997.
Lower house elections were
last held held in September
2002 and upper house
elections were last held in
September 2006.
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