Bahrain names crown prince Salman Al Khalifa as new PM

Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa has named crown prince Salman Al Khalifa as the new prime minister, the state news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a royal decree.

The Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, presided over the last sessions of the Council of Ministers, during the period of Prince Khalifa bin Salman's illness until his death, on Wednesday. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa holds the position of First Deputy Prime Minister before he was assigned to be the Prime Minister.

The decree takes effect immediately, it reported.

Bahrain's late Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa died earlier on Wednesday in a hospital in the US. His body will be flown home for burial in a funeral that will be limited to a number of relatives, the court added in a statement, according to the Bahraini news agency BNA.