Bahrain’s news media have announced the passing of Prince Khalifa bin Salman-al-Khalifa, the prime minister of Bahrain.
Bahrain’s news agency reported that he passed away at Mayo Clinic hospital in the United States.
It said the burial ceremony will take place after his remains are transported home, in line with coronavirus restrictions and will be attended by a “specific number” of relatives.
The country will hold a week of official mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-mast.
Government ministries and departments will be closed for three days.
Born on November 24, 1935, Khalifa began to attend his father’s royal court at the age of seven along with his elder brother, Prince Isa.
He was named in 1970 as the head of the state council, the executive branch of government which became the council of ministers after independence from Britain.
The late Salman-al-Khalifa was the world’s longest-serving PM who held the post since 1971 until his death.
He played a key role in Bahrain’s political and economic affairs for more than three decades after setting the stage for a referendum that put paid to the Shah of Iran’s claims to the tiny Gulf archipelago.
