Loutgoing President Donald Trump on Friday awarded the prestigious United States Legion of Merit to the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, for his “positive impact” on the political landscape of the Middle East, citing in particular the normalization of relations with Israel. “King Mohammed VI has advanced the lasting and solid partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States in all areas,” said the White House in a statement. “His vision and personal courage, especially his decision to reconnect with the State of Israel, had a positive impact on the (political) landscape of the Middle East and North Africa, marking the beginning of a new era of security and prosperity ”for the United States and Morocco, the statement also said.
An exceptional honor which Mohammed VI echoed
The Legion of Merit is a military medal awarded for an exceptional feat of arms or to foreign officials, which can only be granted by the president, recalls the White House. Morocco signed in December in Rabat an agreement to normalize ties with Israel, sponsored by the United States, with bilateral agreements focusing on direct air links, water management, connections of financial systems and an agreement visa waiver for diplomats. In exchange, Washington recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of the Sahara, claimed by the separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria. King Mohammed VI confirmed this, qualifying Washington’s decision on the Sahara as a “historic stand”. Next: On December 22, Jared Kushner and an adviser to Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated the first direct commercial flight between Israel and Morocco. Then the two countries sign four cooperation agreements.
On the same day of Friday, we also learn that the American president also received the highest distinction of the Shereefian kingdom, in particular for his work in promoting the normalization agreement with Israel, a senior administration official told Reuters. In a private ceremony at the Oval Office, Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, Ambassador of Morocco to the United States, presented Trump with the Order of Muhammad, an award bestowed only on heads of state. Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz also received awards for their work on the Israel-Morocco deal. The media were not allowed to attend the award ceremony.
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