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| Morocco's king 'to unveil constitutional reforms' | Morocco's king 'to unveil constitutional reforms' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Morocco's King Mohammed VI is expected to announce constitutional amendments in a landmark televised speech. | Morocco's King Mohammed VI is expected to announce constitutional amendments in a landmark televised speech. |
| The reforms will reduce his political and religious powers, according to AFP and Reuters news agencies which have seen drafts of the speech. | The reforms will reduce his political and religious powers, according to AFP and Reuters news agencies which have seen drafts of the speech. |
| In March the king promised "comprehensive constitutional reform" in the north African country. | In March the king promised "comprehensive constitutional reform" in the north African country. |
| Thousands of Moroccan pro-democracy protesters staged protests in February similar to those in Tunisia and Egypt. | Thousands of Moroccan pro-democracy protesters staged protests in February similar to those in Tunisia and Egypt. |
| Some activists have urged caution, saying that Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms. | Some activists have urged caution, saying that Morocco's 400-year-old monarchy has a long history of enacting superficial reforms. |
| The speech is due to be aired at 2100 local time (2000 GMT). | The speech is due to be aired at 2100 local time (2000 GMT). |
| The proposals - drawn up by a reform panel appointed by King Mohammed - will see the prime minister become "president of the government", AFP says. | |
| The prime minister will be able to appoint government officials, taking over a role previously held only by the king, and be able to debate state policy at weekly government council meetings in the absence of the king, the draft says. | |
| 'Key power-broker' | |
| Under the existing constitution, only the cabinet chaired by the king can decide state policy. | |
| However, the monarch will remain a key power-broker in the security, military and religious fields, Reuters adds. | |
| The proposals will be put to a referendum in July. | |
| In March, King Mohammed promised to promote greater democracy by strengthening the roles of the prime minister, parliament and the judiciary. | In March, King Mohammed promised to promote greater democracy by strengthening the roles of the prime minister, parliament and the judiciary. |
| He said more powers would be given to Morocco's regions to "help consolidate our model of democracy and development". | He said more powers would be given to Morocco's regions to "help consolidate our model of democracy and development". |
| Morocco has been facing severe economic problems with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty. | Morocco has been facing severe economic problems with high unemployment and rising levels of poverty. |