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 Wednesday at the age of 84, state media announced.

Prince Khalifa was a controversial figure during his five decades in office — and deeply unpopular with the Sunni-ruled kingdom’s Shia population.

When Shia-led protesters occupied Manama’s Pearl Square for a month in 2011, before being driven out by Saudi-backed security forces, their main demand was for Khalifa to step down.

He played a key role in Bahrain’s political and economic affairs, including setting the stage for a referendum that put paid to the Shah of Iran’s claims to the tiny Gulf archipelago.

Prime Minister Imran Khan offers condolences over Khalifa’s death

But the prime minister, who was accused by dissidents of opposing reforms and cracking down on activists, adopted a lower profile in recent years as his age advanced and as Crown Prince Salman played a more prominent role.

Prince Khalifa died at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in the United States, the official Bahrain News Agency said.

The burial will take place after his remains have been transported home, and in line with coronavirus restrictions only a limited number of relatives will attend.

The country will hold a week of official mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-mast. Government ministries and departments will be closed for three days.

Gulf leaders paid tribute, hailing the veteran leader’s long career “that has shaped Bahrain’s recent history”, according to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

Born on Nov 24, 1935, Prince Khalifa began to attend his father’s royal court at the age of seven along with his elder brother, Prince Issa.

He was named in 1970 as the head of the state council, the executive branch of government which became the council of ministers after independence from Britain.

He conducted difficult negotiations with the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, before independence over Shia Iran’s claims to Bahrain’s chain of islands.

A referendum to determine the country’s future resulted in an overwhelming vote in favour of independence under the rule of the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty, despite the large Shia population — whose size is disputed by the government to this day.

After independence, Sheikh Khalifa’s government faced strong protests by leftist political groups, which demanded the legalisation of trade unions, resulting in large-scale arrests.

In 1972, elections were held for a constituent assembly which drafted Bahrain’s first constitution the following year.

The first parliamentary elections were held in 1973, but Sheikh Khalifa’s government dissolved the chamber two years later after it refused to pass a state security law giving the government wide powers of arrest and detention without trial.

Political unrest flared again in the early 1980s, and in late 1981 the government announced it had foiled an Iranian-backed coup attempt.

Prince Khalifa strove for many years to establish Bahrain as a regional financial hub. Unlike other Gulf states, the kingdom has only modest oil resources.

Working closely with his brother, the late emir Sheikh Issa bin Salman Al Khalifa, he favoured strong ties with Washington.

Ties have since continued to grow, with Bahrain now hosting the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet as one of Washington’s most trusted allies in the region.

PM grieved

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed grief over the death of Bahrain’s Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in a tweet.

He tweeted: “Deepest condolences to the Khalifa family & brotherly people of Bahrain on the passing of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa.

He was a man of great vision, profound integrity and above all a close friend to the people of Pakistan. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.”

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2020