Princess Lalla Salma, spouse of king Mohammed VI of Morocco, was decorated by President Abdoulaye Wade with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, the highest honour bestowed in Senegal.
 
    The decoration ceremony was attended by Senegal's First lady, Viviane Wade, and by Morocco's ambassador to Dakar, Moha Ouali Tagma.

    "Princess Lalla Salma deserves the award for her humanitarian actions in Morocco and abroad," Vivian Wade told the press following the decoration ceremony, noting that "this decoration is also a gesture of admiration for Morocco and for the royal family."

    Princess Lalla Salma arrived in Dakar on Sunday to take part in the 15th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (CISMA), convening in the Senegalese capital on December 3-7.

    This conference is expected to bring together prominent scientists, Nobel Prize laureates, and researchers who will discuss ways to prevent and fight AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

    Princess Lalla Salma is also to take part in African First ladies' meeting on the fight against AIDS.