MANAMA — Bahrain’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received here on Tuesday commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, US 5th Fleet Samuel Paparo, and Chargé d'Affairs of the United States Embassy in Bahrain Margaret Nardi.

Bahrain’s Public Security Chief Major-General Tariq Hassan Al Hassan and commander of the Coast Guard Major General Al-Bahari were also present in the meeting, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

During the meeting, the minister hailed the strong and strategic partnership between the two countries, stressing the importance of joint cooperation to further develop maritime security control methods.

The US side asserted the development of cooperation to serve the best interests of the two states.

They reviewed bilateral relations, security cooperation and issues of common interest. — SG