His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa deputized Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa (photo) to attend the graduation ceremony of the 10th joint command and staff session at the Royal Command, Staff and National Defense College.

Held under the patronage of HM the King, the celebration was also attended by Royal Guard Commander Brigadier Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

The BDF Commander-in-Chief was received on arrival at the ceremony’s venue by Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yusef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma, Acting Chief-of- Staff Major General Abdullah Hassan Al Nuaimi and senior officers.

In a speech marking the occasion, the Acting Chief-of-Staff paid tribute to the graduates who, he said, will carry the banner of development and modernization in the military institutions. He congratulated them on their graduation and success to complete the Masters Degree in military sciences. He also welcomed participants in the session from the armed forces of brotherly countries, wishing them every success. He thanked the guidance authority at the college for their strenuous efforts to ensure success of the session.

Commandant of the Royal Command, Staff and National Defense College Rear Admiral Abdullah Said Al Mansouri extended thanks and gratitude to HM the King for patronizing the ceremony. He also thanked the BDF Commander-in-Chief, the college’s High Council Chairman, for attending it, commending the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.

He further pointed out the importance of the session in grooming and honing the intellectual and military skills of the graduates, congratulating them on their graduation. He also urged them to continue their quest for knowledge to keep abreast of the latest developments in the military field.

Then, the BDF Commander-in-Chief and the audience watched a short documentary on the session.

After two speeches given on behalf of the graduates and the participants from brotherly countries, two poems were recited. Then, the BDF Commander-in-Chief presented the graduates and top achievers with certificates and prizes of appreciation. He conveyed to them the greetings and congratulations of HM the King, the Supreme Commander, stressing the great support and care given by HM the King to the Royal Command, Staff and National Defense College.

The BDF Commander-in-Chief affirmed the college’s dedication of all its capabilities to provide top level military grooming. He pointed out the college’s good regional reputation, thanking its staff and wishing the graduates every success in serving the nation.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Supreme Health Council Lt. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Interior Minister Lt. General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Head of HM the King’s Military Office Sheikh Abdullah bin Salman Al Khalifa, Supreme Defense Council Secretary General Lt. General Sheikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi, National Guard Staff Director Major General Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Khalifa, Public Security Chief Major General Taraq bin Hassan Al Hassan and Ambassadors and Military Attachés of the countries of the participating officers.