Interior Minister receives US ambassador

Manama, Mar. 9 (BNA): Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, received today the newly-appointed US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Steven Bondy, in the presence of the Public Security Chief, the Interior Ministry Undersecretary and Director General of the General Directorate for the Execution of Alternative Sentences and Punishments. The Interior Minister welcomed the US Ambassador, praising distinguished relations and strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the USA and mutual keenness to further develop them. He also noted the importance of boosting communication and exchanging experiences and security expertise to promote joint cooperation. The US ambassador and his accompanying delegation were informed about the humanitarian programmes which reflect the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. A number of programmes were reviewed, including the Alternative Punishments, the Open Prisons Programme and “Ma’an” to fight violence and addiction, which aim to foster the concept of “community security”. Services provided for the inmates at the Correction and Rehabilitation Centre were also spotlighted.