RIYADH, July 2: Pop star Michael Jackson started a vacation in Bahrain as a guest of the king’s son. Jackson’s brother Jermaine, who has close friends in Bahrain’s royal family, had apparently arranged this vacation.

Michael Jackson, along with Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the king’s son, had arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday night from Europe on a private plane.

“Bahrain has a lot of beautiful places,” the prince said. “He (Jackson) would love his privacy, and we will do our best to maintain the privacy he has.”

The singer is visiting Bahrain without his children.

“He is here to relax with friends, and we are proud and honoured to welcome him,” Sheikh Abdullah said. “Michael is very well, very happy and very relaxed here.”