His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Sakhir Palace Tuesday the US Secretary of Defense, Loyd Austin, on the occasion of his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The US Defense Secretary conveyed to HM the King thanks and respect of the US President Joe Biden for the key role played by Bahrain in the relief and evacuation efforts of the US citizens and Afghan civilians. He also conveyed the US President’s appreciation of strong relations of friendship and cooperation between both countries.
HM the King welcomed the US Secretary of Defense and asked him to convey his greetings to the US President. He reviewed deep-rooted historical relations and strategic cooperation between the two friendly countries, Bahrain News
Agency (BNA) reported.
HM the King expressed appreciation of the Bahraini-American relations which are based on mutual confidence and respect and common keenness to further bolster cooperation between the two friendly countries in various fields. He commended historical ties binding the two friendly countries for over 120 years, stressing the kingdom’s keenness to continue providing humanitarian relief aid to Afghanistan and its people.
HM the King lauded the role of the American community in the Kingdom of Bahrain, praising the significant and active role of the US administration, in cooperation with allied and friendly countries, to ensure regional security and stability and preserve global peace. He also discussed with the US Secretary of Defense regional and international developments and issues of common interest.
The US Secretary of Defense expressed thanks and respect to HM the King for the gracious welcome and hospitality, praising cooperation between the two countries and keenness to further boost it to promote regional security. He also commended Bahrain’s hosting of the 5th fleet, which is part of bilateral military cooperation and reflects deep-rooted historical relations of friendship and distinguished partnership between both countries.
For his part, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister, also received the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, and an accompanying delegation, at Riffa Palace.
HRH highlighted the depth of long-standing relations between Bahrain and the United States of America and the importance of furthering military coordination and defense cooperation. He further highlighted the US’s role, alongside international partners, in safeguarding regional security and stability.
HRH acknowledged the Kingdom’s role in international relief and evacuation efforts from Afghanistan to the US, a joint operation symbolic of Bahrain’s well-established strategic partnership with the United States of America.
He also affirmed that the humanitarian evacuation efforts aimed to support the stability of Afghanistan while acknowledging the role played by the Kingdom’s American community in furthering Bahrain’s development.
For his part, the US Secretary of Defense emphasized the US’s gratitude and appreciation for Bahrain’s support in Afghan evacuation and relief efforts, noting that the Kingdom is a regional partner in international humanitarian operations.
The US Secretary of Defense noted that Bahrain and the US have established long-standing strategic ties, including matters related to military and defense.
A number of other senior officials were in attendance.
Earlier, Bahrain’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, received Tuesday the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin, on arrival at Bahrain International Airport, alongside his accompanying delegation, for his official visit to the Kingdom.
