US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed Saturday the passage of a constitutional referendum in Morocco that will curb the powers of King Mohammed VI, dpa reported.
"We support the Moroccan people and leaders in their efforts to strengthen the rule of law, raise human rights standards, promote good governance, and work toward long-term democratic reform that incorporates checks and balances," Clinton said in a statement.
"We look forward to the full implementation of the new constitution as a step toward the fulfillment of the aspirations and rights of all Moroccans."
Nearly 98.5 per cent of voters backed the reform in a referendum Friday, according to preliminary results.
Under the constitutional reforms, the monarch will no longer be able to freely choose the prime minister, but will be obliged to appoint a person from the biggest party. Among other changes, the king will no longer be able to choose the defence, interior, foreign and religious affairs ministers without consulting the prime minister, or fire ministers without the premier's consent.