UAE Navy commander awarded France's highest decoration

Second Navy commander awarded National Order of Merit

Rear Admiral Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan, right, is presented with the Legion of Honour (Officer) by Admiral Pierre Vandier, chief of staff of the French Navy, during his visit to the UAE. Wam

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has awarded an Emirati commander the highest national decoration in France.

Rear Admiral pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan, deputy commander of the naval forces, was awarded the Legion of Honour (Officer) and the National Order of Merit (Knight) in appreciation of the efforts to strengthen military relations and co-operation between the UAE and France, state news agency Wam said on Tuesday.

Admiral Pierre Vandier, chief of staff of the French Navy, who is currently visiting the Emirates, presented Rear Admiral Sheikh Saeed with the medals at a ceremony held at the Command of the Naval Forces, in the presence of several senior officers of the Ministry of Defence from both countries.

Commodore Abdullah Al Mehairbi, deputy commander of the Naval Forces, was awarded the National Order of Merit (Knight)

Both navy officers expressed their thanks and appreciation to the French president for the honour and hoped that relations between the two countries would develop further.

The Legion of Honour is given in both military and civil sphere. It was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and comes in five grades - Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross.

Famous recipients range from Second World War D-Day veterans to music legends such as Bob Dylan.