According to a press statement issued by the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Prince Talal expressed gratitude to President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Nepal government for giving him such an honor. [break]He also expressed commitment to help promote the relations between the two countries.
Earlier, the government had decided to ship the medal to Saudi Arabia after Prince Talal expressed his inability to visit Nepal again to receive the award.
The then government hastily decided to confer him the highest medal to be given to a foreigner except the head of the state during his visit to Nepal in November, 2010 for further strengthening relations between Nepal and Saudi Arabia´.
However, he could not receive the medal due to opposition from various quarters to award a person who had not made substantial contribution to Nepal as per the regulations governing the government awards.
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