Bahrain to name an ambassador to Baghdad by May-end

Manama: Bahrain will name an ambassador to Baghdad before the end of this month, the Iraqi foreign ministry has said.

"Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa pledged to the Iraqi charge d'affaires in Manama Ahmad Shafiq Agha that Bahrain would name its ambassador in Baghdad before the end of this month," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, Bahrain's top diplomat reiterated his country's policies in support of Iraq in the fight against terrorism and the drive to bring peace and tranquility.

King Hamad on Sunday named three ambassadors to Tunisia, Germany and Thailand.

Progress

Bahrain in March said that it would appoint an ambassador to Baghdad, a move that was promptly welcomed by George W. Bush as "a very strong move that indicates a willingness to lead, as well as a willingness to send a signal that when a young democracy like Iraq is beginning to make progress, that it is important for the neighbourhood to recognise that progress."

In 2005, Bahrain's top envoy to Iraq, Hassan Malallah Al Ansari, was shot and wounded by gunmen as he made his way to work in the upscale Mansour district.