Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the longest serving Prime Minister of Bahrain since its independence in 1971 has died at age 84 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in the United States. The Bahrain News Agency confirmed the death on Wednesday, saying "The Royal Court mourns His Royal Highness ... who passed away this morning at Mayo Clinic in the United States of America." King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa has announced a week of mourning of the deceased where flags will be flown at half-mast in honour of the late PM.
According to the News agency, the burial ceremony will take place once the body is repatriated from the U.S with specific number of relatives in attendance.
The PM travelled to Germany in November 2019 for medical treatment, returning months later in March, 2020.
Prince Khalifa who led the government and economic aspect of the country for almost 50 years was met with numerous achievements as well as challenges including the Shiite-led Arab Spring protest in 2011, alleging corruption among others.
