Rare US honour bestowed on Kuwaiti Amir
The Kuwaiti Amiri Diwan announced that US President Donald Trump has awarded Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander.
Minister of Kuwait’s Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah al-Sabah said that the honour comes in recognition of the Amir’s tireless efforts and significant leadership role in the region and the world, and as a culmination of the historic and distinguished partnership between Kuwait and the US spanning decades, Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) reported.
The award also coincides with the upcoming 60th anniversary of the establishment of relations between both nations, the minister added.
The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander was accepted, on behalf of Kuwait Amir at a ceremony in the Oval Office by Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, is a rarely-awarded, prestigious decoration that can only be bestowed by the President, typically to chiefs of state or heads of government of other countries. The honour was last awarded in 1991.
A White House statement said: “A leader in the Middle East for decades, the Amir has been a truly unwavering friend and partner to the United States. He provided indispensable support to the United States throughout Operation
Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Defeat-ISIS campaign. The Amir is also an unparalleled diplomat, having served as his nation’s foreign minister for 40 years. His tireless mediation of disputes in the Middle East has bridged divides under the most challenging circumstances. The President is very pleased to award this honour to his dear friend, the Amir.”