King Hamad receives UK foreign secretary

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today received at Gudaibiya Palace British Foreign Secretary William Hague and British Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton, who are on visit to Bahrain to attend the 9th Manama Dialogue 2013. HM the King welcomed the British officials and reviewed with them deep-rooted bilateral relations and ways of bolstering cooperation in all fields. HM the King hailed William Hague's keynote address at the 9th Manama Dialogue, in which he commended the role of the Kingdom of Bahrain in consolidating regional security and stability. HM the King affirmed Bahrain's keen interest in bolstering relations and expanding cooperation, hailing the role of the United Kingdom along with other states in the world in maintaining security and stability and pushing forward peace efforts in the region. British Foreign Secretary William Hague stressed his country's readiness to back Bahrain in all fields, hailing the 200-year old friendship bonding the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UK. He said that his country would continue work with the GCC member states as partners for regional security and stability, stressing growing British commitment towards the Arabian Gulf countries. HM the King and the British Foreign Secretary reviewed regional and international political developments and issues of mutual interest.