Bahraini emir to visit the Vatican, UK

Bahraini Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa left Manama on Sunday to start official working visits to the Vatican and the UK.

During his visit to the Vatican, Sheikh Hamad will meet with Pope John Paul II to review matters pertaining to peace and security in the world and the dialogue among religions and civilizations.

In Britain Sheikh Hamad will hold talks with Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and several official from the British government on means of strengthening bilateral relations, as well as developments in the Gulf and Arab arenas, including the Middle East peace process and current international issues of joint interest.