French president grants distinction to Moroccan painter

French president, Jacques Chirac, granted Tuesday to Moroccan painter, Mehdi Qotbi, the "Chevalier de La Legion d'Honneur" distinction for his action at the head of the French-Moroccan friendship association.

The French president hailed Qotbi as a skilled painter and calligrapher who has used his reputation to promote rapprochement between the Moroccan and French cultures, through the creation in 1991 of the French-Moroccan Friendship association.

Chirac also paid tribute to the Moroccan artist's humanitarian actions and generosity.

Mehdi Qotbi says he is proud to receive the French distinction, an honor to Morocco.