Miscellaneous

Top US honour for Bahrain's HM King Hamad

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain has been granted the “Legion of Merit” (Degree of Chief Commander) by US President Donald J Trump, in recognition of his remarkable efforts to strengthen the Bahrain-US friendship and solid partnership.
 
It is also in tribute to HM the King’s major role in broadening cooperation with the US, which achieved the interests of the two countries and enhanced relations between the two friendly peoples, said a Bahrain News Agency report.
 
President Trump expressed pleasure at presenting the Legion of Merit to HM the King, noting that “under King Hamad’s decades of steady leadership as Crown Prince, Amir and King, Bahrain has proved to be an indefatigable ally of the United States.”
 
“Bahrain’s support of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain has been essential to enabling multiple contingency operations,” the President added.
 
President Trump praised HM the King’s courage and vision, reflected in his support for peace, and decision to establish full diplomatic relations with the State of Israel.
 
“Most recently, King Hamad has shown extraordinary courage and leadership through his support of the Vision for Peace and his decision to establish full diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. His decision has ushered in a new era of economic and security cooperation between the US most important partners in the Middle East. King Hamad has challenged old assumptions about the possibility for peace in the region, and in doing so, positively reshaped the landscape of the Middle East for generations,” President Trump said, adding that the “already deep partnership between US and Bahrain will continue to expand.”
 
The prestigious “Legion of Merit”, usually granted to distinguished leaders of US allied countries, proves HM the King's distinguished status and the US great recognition of his role and major contributions to strengthening the pillars of security, stability and prosperity, in accordance with a wise vision to promote peace across the region, the report said.