President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Mohamed Nasheed has awarded Purple Heart and Long Service Medal to Chief of Defence Force Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel today.
Speaking after the presentation of the honours at a ceremony held at the Integrated Headquarters of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the President paid tribute to long and distinguished services of Major General Jaleel and noted his efforts to modernize and strengthen the MNDF.
The President said the way in which the Maldives military was carrying out its duties free from political influence, despite the major transformations in the political system, was exemplary not only to Maldivians but also to any country that undergo similar transformations.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also expressed confidence in the mechanisms and plans devised by the Maldives military to protect the country from any potential threat to its security.
Major General Jaleel was awarded Purple Heart for being wounded in the field in the battle against the coup attempt on 3 November 1988 by mercenaries linked to a Sri Lankan terrorist group.
Long Service Medal was awarded to Major General Jaleel in recognition of his 30 year of distinguished service to the Maldives military.
