Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa


Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is a Bahraini royal and politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Bahrain since 1970, taking office over a year before Bahrain's independence on 15 August 1971. He is the longest-serving current Prime Minister of any government in the world. He still retains a great amount of power, although under the 2002 Constitution he lost some of his powers, with the King having the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers. He is the paternal uncle of the reigning King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and granduncle of the Crown Prince Salman, since he is the younger brother of the former Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Early life and education

Prince Khalifa was born in Bahrain, the second son of Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifa, Hakim of Bahrain, and wife Mouza bint Hamad Al Khalifa. He was educated at Manama High School and Rifa’a Palace School in Bahrain.

Career

Prince Khalifa was a member of the education council from 1956 to 1958 and chair between 1958 and 1961. Next he became the director of the finance department, president of the electricity board, chair of the Manama municipal council, head of the Bahrain monetary council, chair of the joint committee for economic and financial studies, committee member for the register of commerce, then chairman of the administrative affairs council, became board member of the Bahrain monetary agency and then chairperson of the State Council, head of the State Council and head of the supreme defence council.
Prince Khalifa was appointed as prime minister by his brother Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in 1971. Therefore, he was assigned the control of government and economy, while his brother, the Emir, involved in diplomatic and ceremonial affairs.Prince Khalifa received World Peace Culture Award on 06 August 2017.

Views

In 2011, reporter Bill Law stated that Prince Khalifa is a hardliner, whereas Crown Prince Salman, his grandnephew who is also his Deputy Prime Minister, the grandson of his brother, the late Emir Isa, is the reformer and the King, his nephew and Crown Prince Salman's father, is somewhere in the middle of them.

Marriage and children

Prince Khalifa married his cousin Hessa bint Ali Al Khalifa, the fourth daughter of Ali bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Muharraq. They had three sons and one daughter:
Shaikha Dheya bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa - niece of Prince Khalifa and President of Riyada Group of Companies. Famous for her business activities as a member of the Royal family and Head of Riyada Group in Russia. She has political and business contacts with Russian Ministries, business community, engineering companies. In 2014 during Rhodian Forum gave an opinion on the beginning of the Third World War and the necessity of the dialogue.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

Prince Khalifa was raised to the personal title of Prince with the style of "His Royal Highness" on 21 October 2009.

Honours

National