Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, passed away this morning at Mayo Clinic Hospital in the US.

The burial ceremony will take place after the repatriation of the body, and the funeral will be limited to a specific number of relatives, Bahrain News Agency said. 

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain has ordered the announcement of an official mourning for a week during which flags will be flown at half mast.

Government ministries and departments will be closed for three days starting Thursday.

Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has served as the prime minister of Bahrain since 1970, taking office over a year before Bahrain's independence on August 15, 1971.

He is the paternal uncle of the reigning King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and granduncle of the Crown Prince Salman, since he is the younger brother of the former Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

(Writing by Seban Scaria; editing by Mily Chakrabarty)

(seban.scaria@refinitiv.com)

© ZAWYA 2020