August 18, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Saani 8, 1423

TEHRAN, Aug 17: Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa arrived in Iran on Saturday on a first visit by a Bahraini leader to the Islamic republic in more than two decades, state media reported.

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami met King Hamad at Saadabad palace in Tehran. Bahrain state media said talks would focus on “developing the friendly relations between the Muslim neighbours and international and world developments”.

For years, Bahrain accused Iran of fomenting unrest among the Gulf state’s majority Shia community, who sought reforms from the government between 1994 and 1998. In 1996, Manama accused Iran of plotting to overthrow its government, a charge denied by Tehran.

But relations between Manama and Tehran have improved since reformist Khatami came to power in Iran in 1997.

Bahraini newspapers have hailed this visit to Iran as a “historic turning point in relations”.

King Hamad, who succeeded his father in 1999, has pushed political and economic reforms to try to end decades of sectarian tension.—Reuters