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File picture shows US President Donald Trump and Bahrain's King Hamad during a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh. Image Credit: AFP

Cairo: Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa has praised ties of his country with US in a letter to outgoing President Donald Trump, saying that the Middle East is now more stable than before.

The Trump administration recently mediated landmark peace accords between Israel and a number of Arab countries including Bahrain and the UAE.

Bahrain’s official news agency BNA quoted King Hamad as telling Trump that the Middle East is “safer and more stable than before” and that he looks forward to cooperation among all countries in the region to tackle challenges and forge a promising and peaceful future.

“As a close and long-standing ally of the US, Bahrain is proud to work with US friends in various fields,” he said.

“Its designation by the US as a major strategic partner embodies this partnership and establishes stronger and more solid relations to strengthen security and promote peace in the region and the world.”

The Bahraini leader also thanked Trump for awarding him the Legion of Merit.

Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.