US President Donald Trump granted Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the Legion of Merit, in the rank of chief commander, in recognition of his remarkable efforts to strengthen relations between Manama and Washington, reported the Bahrain news agency (BNA) on Tuesday.
It is also a tribute to the King’s major role in broadening cooperation with the US, achieving the interests of the two countries and boosting relations between their people.
Trump noted “King Hamad’s decades of steady leadership as Crown Prince, Amir and King,” stressing that “Bahrain has proved to be an indefatigable ally of the United States.”
Manama’s “support of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain has been essential to enabling multiple contingency operations,” he added.
Trump praised King Hamad’s courage and vision, reflected in his support for peace and decision to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.
“His decision has ushered in a new era of economic and security cooperation between the United States’ most important partners in the Middle East,” he continued. “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.”
“The already deep partnership between US and Bahrain will continue to expand,” he remarked.
