Morocco's King Mohammed VI has confirmed that the country has named a major highway after US President Donald Trump. This was reported by infohub.kz.
Last week, Trump thanked the king for the honour in a social media post, but there was no official confirmation from the Moroccan authorities at the time. However, Morocco's state press agency has published a letter the king wrote to the president, in which he said the name change was taking place as "a personal expression of my high regard".
Formerly known as the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, the road enters Western Sahara, most of which Morocco occupies and claims sovereignty over. However, part of the territory is controlled by the Polisario Front, an armed group seeking independence for the local Sahrawi people.
In 2020, during the first Trump administration, the US recognised Morocco's claim over the disputed region as part of a deal whereby Morocco agreed to normalise relations with Israel.
In his letter, dated 2 July but published over the weekend, King Mohammed highlighted what he called the US president's "historic recognition... of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara", saying it would "forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans, from generation to generation".
"Although our relations have always been rooted in close friendship and constant loyalty, they have never been as vigorous and fruitful as during your two presidential terms," the king added.
The monarch called the 1,055km (655 mile) highway a "strategic axis" linking "north and south of Morocco". Morocco refers to Western Sahara as its "southern provinces".
A former Spanish colony, Western Sahara is considered a "non-self-governing territory" by the UN. The region has been the site of one of Africa's longest conflicts, lasting five decades. The UN has consistently pushed for a solution, including a referendum, but the indigenous people have never been able to vote on their own future.
The African Union recognises Western Sahara's independence. European governments have until recently avoided taking sides, but some, including the UK and Spain, have backed Morocco's plan to grant autonomy while denying independence.
In his Truth Social post last week, Trump included a video about the road, saying it cost nearly $1bn (£740m) to build. "I look forward to traveling the entire length of this great highway someday, hopefully soon!" the president wrote.