The 725-men strong contingent received the medal in recognition of the international community to the Moroccan soldiers engaged to bring peace back to Cote d'Ivoire, General Elhadji Mouhamadou Kandji said in a ceremony organized in Duekoue, 480 km north east of the capital Abidjan.

    "You deserve this medal from the UN as a compensation of your devotion at the service of peace," general Kandji said.