His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa hailed deep-rooted historic relations binding the Kingdom of Bahrain and Egypt, lauding steadily-growing cooperation, particularly military ties.
This came as he received at Al-Safriya Palace Egyptian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, Naval and Air Force Officers, marking their participation, alongside the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), in the joint exercise “Hamad 2”, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
The King hailed the participation of the contingent in “Hamad 2”, considered one of the most important military exercises, conducted by the BDF and the Egyptian Armed Forces. He paid tribute to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his dedicated efforts and role to consolidate bilateral relations and strengthen the pillars of joint cooperation towards serving mutual interests.
“The military drill reflects deep-rooted historic relations and growing military and defense cooperation”, said the King, hailing the armed forces which play a crucial role in protecting both countries and staving off destructive ideas.
The King underlined the importance of such joint exercise in consolidating military cooperation, exchanging expertise and enhancing combat readiness to confront all challenges and contribute to bolstering Pan-Arab action.
He stressed the pivotal role of Egypt which represents a strategic depth for the whole Arab nation, hailing shared history and civilization between the two countries.
Royal Bahrain Navy Commander Rear Admiral Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa delivered a speech, welcoming the King and the Egyptian delegation. He stressed the importance of joint military action to confront regional challenges and changes, deter dangers and defeat the scourge of terrorism, hence the need for stronger fraternal military cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received
Commander of the Egyptian Naval Forces Rear Admiral Ahmed Khalid Hassan Said and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yusef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma.
The BDF Commander-in-Chief welcomed the Egyptian military delegation, lauding participation of the Egyptian Armed Forces in “Hamad 2” joint drill. He thanked them for their tremendous efforts in the military exercise, wishing them success in carrying out all the stages of the drill.
The meeting was attended by General Command Court Director Major General Hassan Mohammed Sa’ad, Inspector General Major General Abdullah Hassan Al-Nuaimi, Egyptian Ambassador to Bahrain Suha Ibrahim Mohammed Refa’at, Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply and Catering Rear Admiral Yusef Ahmed Malalllah, Commander of Royal Bahrain Naval Force Rear Admiral Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and BDF senior officers.
Separately, Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa received, in the presence of Defense Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Yusef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma, the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East Affairs Bureau, Stuart E. Jones and his accompanying delegation.
The Commander-in-Chief reviewed with the US official the Bahrain-US relations of friendship and cooperation, and ways to bolster them in various fields.
BDF General Command's Court Director, Major-General Hassan Mohammed Sa’ad, Inspector General Major-General, Abdulla Hassan Al Noaimi, Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply and Catering, Rear Admiral Yusef Ahmed Malallah, Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) Commander Rear Admiral Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the US Ambassador to Bahrain William Roebuck and the US Military Attaché to Bahrain, Colonel Steven Vincent, were present.
