RABAT, March 20. /TASS/. King Mohammed VI of Morocco has sent a congratulatory message to Vladimir Putin on his re-election as Russian president, the Maghreb Arabe Presse news agency reported.

The monarch sent Putin his "warm congratulations on the fact that the Russian people have once again expressed their confidence in him." King Mohammed VI wished the Russian leader "success in continuing his efforts to lead the Russian Federation to greater progress and prosperity".

The monarch reiterated his "firm determination to continue working with Mr. Putin to strengthen the deep bonds of friendship that unite the two countries, based on mutual respect, fruitful cooperation and the shared desire to strengthen the strategic partnership between Morocco and Russia in various fields in the interests of the two friendly peoples."

Russia held its first three-day presidential election over the period March 15-17. Remote electronic voting, also a first, was available to voters in 29, or about one-third, of the country’s regions. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), after 100% of vote tally reports by local election commissions had been processed, incumbent head of state Vladimir Putin held a resounding lead over his three rivals with 87.28% of the vote.