"This is a credible option that we welcome," said the U.S. official during a round table with a group of Moroccan journalists, noting that the initiative is a measure of the intensity of the efforts made by Morocco to finding a solution to this conflict.

Morocco's commitment to work with the UN Secretary General and his personal envoy  to achieve a solution to this issue is a "very positive attitude," she said. Asked about the proposal, which tended to extend MINURSO mandate to issues of human rights, Mrs. Sherman noted that "the essence of MINURSO's mandate is to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution accepted by the parties. "

Under Secretary of State also praised the outcome of the Millennium Challenge Compact (worth 697.5 million dollars), signed between Morocco and the United States in 2007, noting that the program success is such that the two countries are in discussion about the possibility of a second agreement.

Referring to the reforms in the Kingdom, Mrs. Sherman noted that King Mohammed VI has been listening to all Moroccans in implementing a number of reforms, including amendments to the Constitution, saying that there are "high hopes for a bright future in Morocco."

Mrs. Sherman is visiting Morocco as part of a tour in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. She is expected in Algeria later.

- News and events on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas -