Cheney hailed reforms ushered in Morocco by king Mohammed VI

Visiting U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau and Coordinator for Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiatives (IPMO), Elizabeth L. Cheney hailed, in Rabat Monday reforms ushered in Morocco under the auspices of King Mohammed VI.

IPMO will support the kingdom to achieve reforms that would promote women role, press freedom and economic development, she said at a meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister, Mohamed Benaissa.

Describing Moroccan reforms as "spectacular," the American official said at a separate meeting with Moroccan Premier, Driss Jettou that the North African country has made important strides in human rights promotion including the adoption of the new Family Code, the Political Parties Code, Press Code and educational reforms.

Cheney discussed with Moroccan PM means to promote bilateral relations and micro-enterprises projects notably those carried out or underway in the kingdom with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

She met several Moroccan officials including Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq and Secretary of State to the Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, Yasmina Baddou.

During these meetings, the American official was briefed on several topics notably the new Family Code, the new political parties Code, the press Code and the religious situation in the kingdom.

The daughter of U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney started Sunday a three-day visit to the kingdom.