Ban "expressed his hope that this reform project will contribute to answering the legitimate aspirations of all Moroccans and to creating a dynamic of stability in the region," a statement of the UN spokesperson office said after a meeting on Thursday between Ban and Moroccan Foreign Minister Taïb Fassi Fihri.

    The Secretary-General also told the Minister that “he was encouraged by the last informal meeting that took place from 7 to 9 March 2011 (in Malta) and the willingness of the parties to pursue the examination of innovative approaches of negotiation," the statement added.

    He informed the Minister of his trip to Madrid, Paris, Cairo and Tunis.

    The two sides also discussed the conflict in Libya and the situation in Yemen and Bahrain.