His Majesty arrives in Bahrain
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 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.
His Majesty was also received upon his arrival by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain; General 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 the 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; General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Ahmed bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa, Minister of Royal Court follow-up; Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister ; 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 also shook hands with members of the Omani Embassy in Bahrain, with whom he exchanged cordial greetings, 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, accompanied by the King of Bahrain, joined the motorcade which escorted them to Al Sakhir Palace.
At Al Sakhir Palace, an official reception was accorded to His Majesty the Sultan. Folk bands lined the two sides of the entrance to the palace’s gate chanting lyrics and popular expressions of welcome.
When the motorcade of the two leaders entered the gates of Al Sakhir Palace, it was accompanied by a squad of cavalry, in a manifestation of warm welcome for His Majesty. Then, the Royal motorcade was flanked by a troop of motorbikes and later a group of students greeted His Majesty the Sultan.
Once inside Al Sakhir Palace, the King of Bahrain accompanied His Majesty to the dais of honour. There, the Royal Anthem of Oman and the Bahraini Royal Anthem were played, to the accompaniment of a 21-gun salute—fired by the artillery—for His Majesty the Sultan.
Then, His Majesty and the King of Bahrain headed to the Majlis.
This is an unofficial English translation of the original Arabic text. To view the official Arabic text, click here.