Morocco, has awarded U.S. President, Donald Trump with its highest national honour.
The award was given to Trump for his efforts in fostering new agreements in the Middle East, particularly the normalisation of ties between Morocco and Israel.
Trump was presented with the Order of Muhammed award in a private ceremony at the Oval Office. Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, Princess Lala Joumala Alaoui made the presentation, on behalf of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI.
Jared Kushner, one of Trump’s lieutenants and a senior White House Advisor was also awarded for the roles he played in getting the Morocco-Israel deal over the line. The United States’ Middle East envoy, Avi Betkowitz was also awarded.
Whil criticisms have greeted the United States’ role in bringing Israel and some sections of the Middle East together, others have praised it. In the last five months, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Morocco and Bahrain have all struck deals with Israel.
Read: UN Security Council Discusses Morocco-Western Sahara Dispute
Critics believe Morocco accepted the deal because it maintained its powers over Western Sahara, which recently called off its truce with the North African giant. Western Sahara, led by the Polisario Front Movement wants its sovereignty.
In a reciprocal gesture, Donald Trump also awarded King Muhammad VI with the Legion of Merit award.