Tunis — President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali honored on Monday Oussama Mellouli, Tunisia's Olympic gold medallist in the 1500 meters swimming competition at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The Head of State decorated him with the insignia of Grand Officer of the order of the Republic, in consideration for his perseverance and his spirit of competitiveness, as well as for his commitment to raise Tunisia's flag higher in major international sports events .

President Ben Ali also expressed his encouragements to the Tunisian swimmer and ensured him that all conditions will be gathered to enable him to prepare himself for the next international meetings and to further honor Tunisian sport in forthcoming international competitions .

On his part, Oussama Mellouli expressed his gratefulness to President Ben Ali, as well as his happiness to have been honored in the presence of his parents, while voicing his hope of repeating this feat in the forthcoming regional and international sports events.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Physical Education and the president of the Tunisian Olympic committee.