Speaking during a two-day visit to Morocco, Mr Hollande insisted he knew "nothing" about the "private activities" of Mr Augier.

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But modern-day Casablanca, like the rest of Morocco, is much different than the movies.

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Earlier in the day, Spain's group rivals Honduras and Morocco got the men's tournament underway with a 2-2 draw. the result ensured Spain are bottom of the group after the first round of matches.

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These magnificent works came from a vast geographic area, which includes present-day Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, India, Spain and Morocco.

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Nor is the makhzen, Morocco's royal court, quite the brute it was in Hassan II's day.

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