HM arrives in Bahrain

Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain this afternoon, starting an official two-day visit.

Upon the arrival of His Majesty the Sultan at Sakhir Airbase, King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, met him at the foot of the ramp, leading the welcoming party that received His Majesty the Sultan.

His Majesty the Sultan was also received upon his arrival by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior (Head of the Mission of Honour), Sheikh Mohammed bin Issa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa and Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa.

Then, the two leaders headed to the Hall of Protocols, passing between two rows of a guard of honour from Bahrain Royal Guard. His Majesty the Sultan shook hands with senior members of the welcoming party, who were:

Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Diwan, Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa, Minister of Royal Court Follow-up, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, Dr. Jumaa Ahmed Al Kaabi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Sultanate of Oman and Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Governor of the Southern Governorate.

His Majesty the Sultan also shook hands with members of the Omani Embassy in Bahrain—with whom he exchanged cordial expressions, while King Hamad welcomed and shook hands with the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the Sultan.

After a short rest at the hall at the Hall of Protocols, His Majesty the Sultan, accompanied by the King of Bahrain, joined the motorcade which escorted them to Al Sakhir Palace.

At Al Sakhir Palace, official reception was accorded to His Majesty the Sultan. Folk bands that lined the two sides of the entrance to the palace’s gate chanted lyrics and popular expressions of welcome.

When the motorcade of the two leaders entered the gate of Al Sakhir Palace, it was accompanied by a squad of cavalry, in a manifestation of warm welcome for His Majesty the Sultan. Then, the Royal motorcade was flanked by a troop of motorbikes and later a group of students greeted His Majesty the Sultan.

Then, in Al Sakhir Palace, the King of Bahrain accompanied His Majesty the Sultan to the dais of honour. There, the Royal Anthem of Oman and the Bahriani Royal Anthem were played, to the accompaniment of a 21-gun salute—fired by the artillery—for His Majesty the Sultan.

Then, His Majesty the Sultan and the King of Bahrain headed to the Majlis.