The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, hosted a reception and luncheon on the occasion of the Kingdom of Bahrain's national celebrations on 16 and 17 December, in commemoration of the establishment of the modern Bahraini state, an Arab and Muslim country founded by Ahmed Al-Fateh in 1783, the 46th anniversary of its full membership in the United Nations, and the 18th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne.

The reception was attended by the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, Tobias Ellwood, former Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and current Chairmen of the Conservative Party Council for the Middle East, Hugo Swire, the former Chief of the Defence Staff, David Richards, the Advisor of the Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah bin Hassan Saif, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, a number of prominent British government officials, members of the House of Commons and Lords, Ambassadors, diplomats in Britain, businessmen, journalists, intellectuals, friends of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Bahraini students studying in Britain to celebrate this glorious occasion.

In his speech on the occasion, the Ambassador hailed the historic bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom for more than two centuries, adding that the friendship between the two kingdoms has been based on common values and principles, working to promote peace and prosperity, tolerance and respect for cultures, religions and beliefs.

The Ambassador also expressed the pride of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the advanced level of bilateral relations reached between the two kingdoms in various fields, which is in the interest of both countries and peoples.

The Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office expressed the UK's pride in the friendship between the two countries, not only between the two governments but also between the peoples of the two countries.

The event included an exhibition of paintings by Bahraini students studying in Britain and Bahraini folk food.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority participated in the celebrations of the Embassy through its entertainment and promotional programs at the Lancaster Palace, In addition to the participation of the military band of the Ministry of Interior, which affected the ceremony with its melodies and its Bahraini roots, winning the admiration of the audience.

Source: BNA