French Ambassador to the Kingdom Bertrand Besancenot presented the Academic Palms, Officer rank, to Mohamed Ben Laden at an embassy dinner on Feb. 21.

Saudi princes and Ben Laden’s family and friends were all present.

The Academic Palms, which dates back to the Napoleonic era, rewards those who contribute effectively to different cultural and economic aspects of France and helps improve the country’s intellectual, scientific and artistic heritage.

Ben Laden was awarded the honor in recognition of his work in developing the bilateral relationship between France and Saudi Arabia.

He has conducted a number of seminars in France concerning the revolutionary changes introduced in the Saudi judicial system under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He is also a member of the Saudi-French Business Council.

Ben Laden owns a law firm in Riyadh and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London and the London Court for International Arbitration (LCIA).

He is also an arbitrator for the Saudi Ministry of Justice.