RABAT, Morocco -- Moroccan police on Sunday broke up the first street protest against spending by King Mohammed, witnesses said.

They said police with truncheons ended a rally outside parliament by a few dozen Moroccans, kicking and beating protesters including Abdelhamid Amine, the head of the Moroccan Human Rights Association. The police said the demonstration was not licensed.

The activists were angry over the size of the monarchy's expenditure in the national budget as the country faces economic difficulties.

"Shame on you, you have squandered the budget," protesters chanted, addressing themselves to the government. Others carried shopping bags with holes punched through them to indicate lower spending power among average Moroccans.

Morocco votes in test of king's reform drive

Public finances are in dire straits in the North African country of 33 million people because of the financial crisis in the European Union, Morocco's main economic partner.

Increased social spending last year that helped to contain Arab Spring protests has also put a squeeze on the budget.

Complete Middle East & North Africa coverage on NBC News

"We wanted to protest over the parliamentary debate on the 2013 budget and royal expenditures, which are actually rising while the country goes through a financial crisis," Amine said later. "But it seems that their method of discussion is beating people up."

Last year the king reacted swiftly with some constitutional reforms after Morocco saw large-scale protests following uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

Complete World coverage on NBCNews.com

But King Mohammed retains wide powers. Under the new constitution the king, who bases much of his legitimacy on his Islamic credentials as "Commander of the Faithful" and as a descendant of the Prophet Mohammad, keeps control of military, security and religious affairs, while parliament legislates and the government runs the country.

Anger over rising prices, unemployment and wealth distribution remains in a country where around a quarter of the population live in poverty.

More world stories from NBC News:

• 'Some indications' Hamas-Israeli truce is possible, Egypt says
• Key players in the Israel-Gaza cross-border conflict
• French girl found tied up - but alive - in trunk after routine traffic stop
• Mexican company Bimbo may be eyeing Twinkies
• Trains packed as festival travelers head homeward in India
• Syria rebels seize airport near Iraqi border, activists say

Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

 

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.