His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister met the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Rt. Hon Mark Lancaster TD MP (photo), at Riffa Palace in Manama.
HRH the Crown Prince underscored the two Kingdoms’ strong and multi-faceted partnership across various sectors, highlighting long-standing defense ties as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
HRH the Crown Prince reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to supporting regional security efforts and underscored the important role the United Kingdom plays in countering transnational terrorism and extremism that pose a threat to all.
HRH the Crown Prince concluded by reaffirming his support for the strong and enduring strategic partnership, which is based on shared interests and commitments to the stability and prosperity of both Kingdoms.
The Minister of Defence Affairs, Major-General Yusuf bin Ahmed bin Hussain Al-Jalahma, also attended the meeting.
For his part, Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa also received British Armed Forces Minister Sir Mark Lancaster in the presence of Defence Affairs Minister Lt-General Yousef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma and Chief-of-Staff Lt-General Dhiyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi.
The BDF Commander-in-Chief welcomed the British minister and his accompanying delegation, praising the historic friendship and cooperation ties in all fields, especially in the military field.
The guests were briefed about the BDF history of its establishment and various military units as well as the accomplishments in the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, The Supreme Commander.
Defence Ministry Undersecretary Major-General Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Major-General Hassan Mohammed Saad the Director of the BDF General Commander Headquarters, Inspector General Major-General Abdullah Hassan Al Nuaimi and senior BDF officers also attended from the Bahraini side.
Lt-General Sir John Lorimer, UK Defence Senior Adviser for Middle East, and the UK Ambassador to Bahrain Simon Martin attended from the UK side.
The two sides discussed several issues of shared interest.
Lastly, His Highness Brigadier-General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa the representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs and Commander of the Royal Guard, in the presence of HH Major Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa the Commander of the Royall Guard's Special Force, also received the British Minister of State for the Armed Forces Sir Mark Lancaster and his accompanying delegation.
HH the Commander of the Royal Guard welcomed the British minister and his accompanying delegation, praising the bilateral cooperation in various fields especially in the military field, and affirmed the importance of boosting the joint coordination in the interest of the two friendly countries.
The two sides reviewed the current cooperation relations as well as topics of mutual concern.
