Bahrain says it backs Saudi efforts to defend Arab nations
SAUDI CROWN PRINCE TO DISCUSS TIES WITH KING HAMAD DURING VISIT TO BAHRAIN
Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s visit to the UAE was praised by Saudi Information Minister Awwad Bin Saleh Al Awwad as a confirmation of the genuine friendship between the two countries.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman arrived in Bahrain yesterday on the second leg of a regional tour. Prince Mohammad, who began his tour on Thursday with a visit to Abu Dhabi, will hold talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad, the state-run Bahrain News Agency said on Saturday.
Earlier yesterday, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman left Abu Dhabi after a three-day state visit to the UAE. He was seen off at the Presidential Flight by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Quoting a royal court statement from Manama, it said that the Saudi crown prince and King Hamad will discuss the “deep-rooted fraternal and historic relations binding the two brotherly countries and peoples, in addition to (the) latest regional, Arab and international developments”.
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa said the visit “highlights the two Kingdoms’ approach based on continuous communication and coordination at all levels regarding all issues and in various forums”.
Taking ties forward
He said: “The visit confirms that Saudi Arabia will remain, as it has always been, supportive of Bahrain’s efforts towards achieving further accomplishments and development in all areas.”
He reiterated “Bahrain’s support to Saudi Arabia to continue its pioneering role in defending the issues of the Arab and Islamic nations and reinforcing regional and international peace and security.”
Bahraini newspapers dedicated pages to highlight the close ties between the two neighbours, while several companies placed large ads to welcome the Saudi Crown Prince.
One daily changed its masthead’s colour from blue to green, the Saudi flag’s colour.
Prince Mohammad is on a multi-country visit ahead of his participation in the G20 Summit in Argentina on November 30.
The Saudi news agency had said that the Crown Prince would be visiting Arab countries in the region, but did not name them.
He is also set to travel to the Tunisian capital Tunis tomorrow, Nour Al Deen Bin Ticha, adviser to the Presidency said.
“Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is welcome in Tunisia, like other Arab leaders. The President of the Republic, Beji Qaid Al Sebsi has, since his accession to the supreme office, been consolidating bilateral relations with brother and friendly countries,” Ben Ticha was quoted by the Tunisian official news agency as saying.
He affirmed the importance of Saudi Arabia’s role in the region and recalled the “solid historical ties between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.”
‘Brotherly relations’
Prince Mohammad’s first visit to the UAE, where he was accorded a grand welcome, was praised by Saudi Information Minister Awwad Bin Saleh Al Awwad as a confirmation of the genuine friendship and bonds between the two countries.