Bahrain Prime Minister Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, World's Longest Serving PM, Dies At 84

"The Royal Court mourns His Royal Highness... who passed away this morning at Mayo Clinic Hospital in the United States of America," the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 24, 2012 Bahraini Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa is pictured at the al-Sakhir Palace in Manama. - Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, the world's longest-serving prime minister who had held the post since independence in 1971, died on November 11, 2020 at the age of 84, state media announced. "The Royal Court mourns His Royal Highness... who passed away this morning at Mayo Clinic Hospital in the United States of America," the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said, adding that the country would enter a week of official mourning. (Photo by MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH / AFP)

Bahrain’s Prince Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, who was the world’s longest serving prime minister died on Wednesday. He was 84 years old. Khalifa had held the post of Bahrain’s Prime Minister since the country got independence in 1971. "The Royal Court mourns His Royal Highness... who passed away this morning at Mayo Clinic Hospital in the United States of America," the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said. The country will hold a week of official mourning. The burial ceremony will take place upon the repatriation of his body and the funeral will be limited to a specific number of relatives, the statement said. Prince Khalifa received World Peace Culture Award on 6 August 2017. Under the 2002 Constitution he lost some of his powers, with the King now having the authority to appoint and (along with the Bahraini parliament) dismiss ministers. HM the King 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.