Gulf | Bahrain

Bahrain's alliance with US hailed

President George W. Bush on Saturday became the first sitting US president to visit Bahrain, home to the US Navy Fifth Fleet since 1947.

  • By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 23:29 January 12, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Bush receives an award from the King Hamad during the arrival ceremony at the Sakhir Palace in Manama.
  • Image Credit: Reuters
Image 1 of 6
123456

Manama: President George W. Bush on Saturday became the first sitting US president to visit Bahrain, home to the US Navy Fifth Fleet since 1947.

He was welcomed at the airport by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa who has hailed the visit as "an outstanding opportunity to bolster bilateral relations and to reinforce security, peace and stability in both the Gulf and the Middle East".

In remarks upon his arrival, Bush said he was "really honoured to be the first US sitting president to visit Bahrain" and lauded the alliance between the two countries, saying that it helped them "share the burdens and risks of maintaining security, as well as defending freedom throughout the region".

The US leader praised King Hamad for being "on the forefront of providing hope for people through democracy", and for "showing strong leadership, and showing the way forward for other nations".

But while the stalled Middle East process topped Bush's agenda in Israel and Ramallah, Iran, and what he perceives as its threats, remain the focus of his talks and the subject of his fierce criticism throughout his five-day swing in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, he is visiting in his unprecedented itinerary.

Bush, hampered by the formidable US intelligence findings that Tehran halted its nuclear weapons development in 2003, is working on convincing his Gulf hosts that the United States remains committed to preventing Iran from undermining stability and eroding security in the region.

US ambassador in Manama Joseph Adam Ereli told Bahrain television that no new weapons sale to Bahrain would be discussed during the visit.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from Bahrain

  1. Bahrain firms seek business ties with Manila

  2. Gulf Air grants 25% discount to journalists

  3. Saudi caught smuggling wine in daughter's case

  4. US commanding officer of Bahrain base fired

All articles in Bahrain

More from Gulf

Gulf News
Popular in News
News Editor's choice