Bahrain’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, arrived Sunday in Washington for talks with President George W. Bush on bilateral and regional issues.
“I am fully convinced and confident that positive results from this visit will contribute towards the expansion and strengthening of cooperation between our countries and will serve our common interests,” the emir told reporters upon arrival.
The Gulf Daily News quoted Sheikh Hamad as pledging cooperation with Washington to put the Middle East peace process back on track.
He also paid tribute to America’s role in maintaining Gulf security and stability, said the paper.
Sheikh Hamad is the first Gulf state head to hold talks with Bush.
So far, the US president has met with leaders of Egypt and Jordan, in addition to Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh is also due to hold similar talks in the near future.
The emir told reporters that during his talks with Bush, they will "seek to develop and bolster bilateral relations to benefit the two peoples and countries.” – Albawaba.com
