BEIRUT / ISTANBUL

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said Wednesday that his country will establish a permanent diplomatic mission in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Speaking during a meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun in Manama, the king said the Lebanese leader’s visit coincided with the 53rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Lebanon.

Bahrain “will establish a permanent diplomatic mission in Beirut,” he added in his comments carried by the state news agency BNA.

He expressed hope that this step “would mark a new milestone for bilateral cooperation across various domains of mutual interest.”

In recent years, relations between Bahrain and Lebanon have been strained due to positions and statements linked to Hezbollah, which Manama designates as a terrorist organization.

Bahrain accuses Hezbollah of supporting opposition movements in the kingdom and interfering in its internal affairs.

Tensions escalated further following remarks made by Hezbollah officials criticizing Bahraini authorities, prompting Manama to withdraw its ambassador from Beirut in 2021, in coordination with several other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The Lebanese president thanked the Bahraini king for his decision to open a permanent diplomatic mission in his country.

“We also look forward to resuming full trade exchange between us, and cooperating across various sectors for the benefit of our peoples and the interests of our countries.”

Aoun visited Bahrain’s Economic Development Board early Wednesday, saying that Lebanon needs investments built on mutual trust.

He described Bahrain as “a sincere partner with whom we can lay the foundation for a new phase of practical cooperation at both the governmental and private levels.”

Aoun concluded his two-day visit to Bahrain on Wednesday, with the Lebanese presidency calling the visit an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the two countries.