Hillary Clinton arrives in Marrakesh

U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived Sunday in Morocco's southern city of Marrakesh during the second day of her private visit to the North African country.

Mrs. Clinton, who is accompanied by her daughter Chelsea, started Saturday afternoon her Moroccan trip from Errachidia in the Tafilalt region, cradle of the Alawite dynasty, MAP said.

The first lady and her daughter spent Saturday night at the Merzouga dunes in the Sahara desert, where she was feted with an "Arabian Nights" soiree and treated to a rousing evening of feasting marked by the high-energy and colorful local folk and dancing entertainment.

She arose early Sunday for a camel trek with daughter Chelsea to watch a brilliant, multi-hued sunrise from the sand dunes.

The first lady visited the "Oued Ziz" valley, near Ouarzazate, where she toured a school and hospital center.

Ms. Clinton, who arrived Saturday in Morocco on a six-day visit, part of a North African tour which has led her to Egypt and Tunisia, will visit major Moroccan imperial cities to get acquainted with Morocco's rich historical and cultural legacy.

She will also participate in various health and education events and find out about Morocco's pilot experience in the multi-party system, religious tolerance and promotion of civil society.

She will deliver a speech at an international conference on "education and the private sector: a requirement of development" and is scheduled to visit a hospital where US peace corps volunteers are cooperating with local communities to enforce family planning and mother-child health programs.