A five-member team from Bahrain left yesterday for the South Pole to hoist the national flag - making it the first Arab nation and 46th country to do so, the team leader said.

The flag is expected to go up on December 16 to celebrate Bahrain's National Day, Abdul Wahab Al Asoomi, who is also assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs

The team headed to the United Kingdom, leaving for the US state of Orlando, and then heading to Bu-enos Aires, Argentina, to go on a 10-day voyage on board the Professor Multanovskiy vessel.

"While there, the team will also place a number of Delmun seals and pictures of the Bahraini leadership," Al Asoomi said. Bahrain is known to be the home of the 5,000-year-old Delmun civilisation, the meeting place of Mesopotamia.

Al Asoomi said the voyage to the South Pole was an idea the team had cherished and discussed for a long time.

"The idea turned into reality with the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the encouragement of the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince," he said.

"We have trained and are ready for any natural disaster or problems that we could face on our trip."

The team will also sign a number of scientific and cultural exchange agreements with institutions and stations set up at the South Pole. It will also take part in a number of scientific and cultural activities.