King of Bahrain Reappoints Crown Prince as PM, Forms New Govt 

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (SPA)
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (SPA)
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King of Bahrain Reappoints Crown Prince as PM, Forms New Govt 

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (SPA)
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (SPA)

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a Royal Order on Monday appointing Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, as Prime Minister. 

Prince Salman expressed his gratitude to King Hamad on the appointment, pledging to continue assuming his responsibility to the fullest. 

He had accepted the cabinet's resignation earlier on Monday after general elections were held on Nov. 12.

Later on Monday, King Hamad issued another Royal Order on the formation of a new government, reported the state news agency BNA.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.  

Sheikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was named Minister of Interior, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani was named Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa was named Minister of Finance and National Economy. 

Lieutenant General Abdulla bin Hassan Alnoaimi was named Minister of Defense Affairs and Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina was named Oil and Environment Minister. 

Prince Salman later sent a cable to King Hamad to thank him for the formation of the cabinet. 

He expressed his deepest gratitude to the monarch for entrusting him to continue serving the kingdom and its people.  

The crown prince pledged to continue dedicated and spirited work to concretize royal visions and achieve development goals.  

He expressed unwavering commitment to continue working with utmost dedication, under the wise leadership of King Hamad to achieve Bahrain’s development and progress, in accordance with the National Action Charter and the Constitution, which inspired the 2030 Bahrain Economic Vision.  

He announced a new phase in national work, pledging to pursue efforts to implement plans, programs and strategies along with all Team Bahrain members to build the nation together and serve citizens, being a top priority, for a better present and future for the kingdom. 



Gulf, EU Leaders Meet for First Summit against Background of Mideast Turmoil

European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud pose during an official welcome ceremony on the day of the joint European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, in Brussels Belgium October 16, 2024. (Reuters)
European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud pose during an official welcome ceremony on the day of the joint European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, in Brussels Belgium October 16, 2024. (Reuters)
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Gulf, EU Leaders Meet for First Summit against Background of Mideast Turmoil

European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud pose during an official welcome ceremony on the day of the joint European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, in Brussels Belgium October 16, 2024. (Reuters)
European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud pose during an official welcome ceremony on the day of the joint European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, in Brussels Belgium October 16, 2024. (Reuters)

The leaders of six Gulf nations and European Union met for an inaugural summit on Wednesday against a backdrop of turmoil in the Middle East and struggles to find a unified position on the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, led Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the meeting in Brussels.

The summit was expected to encompass everything from visas and trade to the situation in the Middle East.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the summit was “long overdue” and added that “the economic ties between the European Union and the Gulf countries need to be strengthened."

“They are there, but they have the potential to be developed much, much further,” he said.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that “to be strategic partners means to listen to each other, to respect each other, to trust each other.”

She also highlighted the need for cooperation on pressing geopolitical issues like the war in Ukraine and that of Israel against Hamas and Hezbollah groups.

“We cannot implement our economic ambitions without security,” she said.

The 27-nation EU has long had relations with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which include Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.