King Mohammed decorates Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish

King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid, received at the Royal Office in Rabat Friday Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, who handed the king a collection of his poems in Arabic and French.

The king decorated the renowned Palestinian poet with the wissam of intellectual merit in recognition for the value of his work.

The audience was attended by director of the king's office, Rochdi Chraibi, and official spokesman for the royal palace, Hassan Aourid.

In a statement after the audience, Mahmoud Darwich expressed his honor and joy for the royal gesture which evidences "the deeply-rooted cultural ties between Palestine and Morocco."

The poet who expressed honor for the royal distinction recalled that Moroccan Writers and intellectuals, to whom he harbors love and respect, also honored him in a special ceremony hosted in his honor.

"I feel that Morocco is constantly giving me more hope, more optimism and more commitment to improve my poetry work," he said.

The Palestinian poet visited Morocco and read out some of his poems in Rabat at the annual festival of the city of Rabat, held last June and in Fez, Morocco's spiritual capital.