Manama, July3(BNA) His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister held an iftar banquet for senior officers of the Bahrain Defence Force, at the Officers Club today.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was received by the BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and His Excellency the Chief of Staff of the Bahrain Defence Force, Major General Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, along with a number of senior Bahrain Defence Force officers.

Following an exchange of Ramadan greetings with the Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force and the senior officers in attendance, His Royal Highness praised their role in safeguarding the Kingdom and its people. He further highlighted the successes of the Bahrain Defence Force in protecting the sovereignty of the country.

His Royal Highness also noted the importance of continuing to modernize the Bahrain Defence Force through integrating advanced technology and defence applications across all its programmes and activities. In response, the Commander in Chief and senior defence officials extended their thanks to His Royal Highness for hosting the iftar banquet and wished him good health and happiness. They also offered best wishes for further prosperity to the Kingdom and its people, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad and extended similar blessings to the Government of Bahrain under the guidance of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister. Commander of the Royal Guard Colonel His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, also attended the iftar banquet.

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BNA 1757 GMT 2014/07/03