MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has sent his condolences to Bahrain and members of its royal family following the death of Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
“The Philippines joins Bahrain and the international community in mourning the demise of His Royal Highness Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Malacañang said in a statement dated November 11 released on Friday.
“President Duterte conveys deepest sympathies to His Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the members of the Royal Family and the government of Bahrain in this time of great sadness and grief,” it added.
Malacañang underscored Bahrain’s “development and rapid transformation” for nearly five decades with the prince as its prime minister.
“Over the years, and especially during the administration of President Duterte, the Philippines and Bahrain have grown ever closer, with the Kingdom taking its place as one of the Philippines’ closest partners in the Middle East,” the Palace added. “His Royal Highness was a true friend of the Philippines and occupies a special place in the collective memory of the Filipino people.”
Prince Khalifa, the world’s longest-serving and Bahrain’s only prime minister since its 1971 independence, passed away at the Mayo Clinic in the United States on Wednesday. He was 84. –PNA
