Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, also Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, received King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, at King Abdulaziz International airport in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Upon arrival at the airport, the King was received also by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior; Khalid Al-Isa, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet, who is also the Head of the Royal Court; and Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, the Minister of Culture and Information.

Following the reception, the Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the King of Bahrain held a meeting.

The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations binding the two fraternal countries and overall regional developments.

The meeting was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet, who is also the Head of the Royal Court Khalid Al-Isa and the Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad from the Saudi side.

It was attended by the Bahraini accompanying delegation, too, including Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Minister of the Royal Court, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Foreign Minister, Bahraini Ambassador to the Kingdom Sheikh Humud bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and Sheikh Talal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Head of the National Security Apparatus.

King Hamad affirmed his country’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against all forms of terrorism and against all those who support and finance it.

“We are pleased to reach the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to express our deep pride and appreciation for the historic fraternal ties established by the strong ties of brotherhood and friendship between the two countries, leaders and the peoples,” he said.

“We reaffirm Bahrain’s full support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against terrorism in all its forms and against all those who support it or fund it, and in its blessed and pioneering efforts led by our brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which may threaten the security of our region or undermine the capabilities of our Arab and Islamic nations to preserve the security and stability of our countries and enable them to overcome this delicate stage of its history and achieve further progress and prosperity,” King Hamad added.

“We also affirm that the Islamic world as a whole stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its good endeavors, leading role in defending the Islamic nation, supporting Islamic nation's causes, and its sponsorship and responsibility for the Hajj. We express our full confidence that the Hajj season will be successful,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Chief-of-Staff Lt-General Dhiyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi attended in Manama the conclusion of the joint exercise implemented by one of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) units alongside with US forces, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

He affirmed the BDF’s keenness on implementing joint exercises in view of their significant role in boosting the level of combat and administrative readiness of the participating forces. These joint exercises also help in the exchange of expertise and advancing the operational command concepts.