Bahrain's King Hamad hails ‘strategic’ ties with US

Cairo: Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had lauded “strategic” ties and “close partnership” between his country and the US, the Bahraini news agency BNA has reported.

The monarch’s remarks came during his meeting on Wednesday evening in Manama with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper.

King Hamad also cited the growth of Bahraini-US cooperation in all fields, especially military coordination and defence cooperation, BNA said.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concerns, mainly the situation in the region.

The king and Esper reviewed “deep-rooted historical links” between the two countries and ways of their promotion. The Bahraini monarch also emphasized that ties with the US based on decades-long trust and mutual respect.

Bahrain, a longtime US ally, is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.