President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih awarded the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel, and the Foreign Secretary, Ahmed Latheef, at an official ceremony held on Monday at the President’s Office.

The President conferred a medal, a plaque, and a certificate to the recipients as the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal.

These two individuals are stepping down after serving an extensive period in the Foreign Service.

Ahmed Khaleel, awarded the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal, has served in the Foreign Service for more than 41 years and is one of the few people who has continuously held many positions in the field, from the most ordinary to the highest posts.

Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef, awarded the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal, began his service in the foreign service of the Maldives on November 26, 1981.

The President decided to confer the Most Distinguished Foreign Service Medal on these two individuals in recognition of their efforts to uphold the nation's highest interests, strengthen ties between the Maldives and other countries and international organisations, and acknowledge their role in the assistance and cooperation received by various associations and organisations in the Maldives, as well as the foreign service-related assistance they gave to the citizens of the Maldives and the work they do to develop the foreign service in the country further.