Joint Command and Staff Session graduation ceremony held

Manama, June 27 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa deputised Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa to attend today the graduation ceremony of the 10th joint command and staff session at the Royal Command, Staff and National Defence College. The celebration, held under the patronage of HM the King, was also attended by Royal Guard Commander Brigadier Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The BDF Commander-in-Chief was received on arrival at the ceremony’s venue by Defence Minister Lieutenant General Yusef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma, Acting Chief of Staff Major General Abdullah Hassan Al Nuaimi and senior officers. In a speech marking the occasion, the Acting Chief of Staff paid tribute to the graduates who, he said, will carry the banner of development and modernisation in the military institutions. He congratulated them on their graduation and success to complete the Masters Degree in military sciences. He also welcomed participants in the session from the armed forces of brotherly countries, wishing them every success. He thanked the guidance authority at the college for their strenuous efforts to ensure success of the session. Commandant of the Royal Command, Staff and National Defence College Rear Admiral Abdullah Said Al Mansouri extended thanks and gratitude to HM the King for patronising the ceremony. He also thanked the BDF Commander-in-Chief, the college’s High Council Chairman, for attending it, commending the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. He pointed out the importance of the session in grooming and honing the intellectual and military skills of the graduates, congratulating them on their graduation. He also urged them to continue their quest for knowledge to keep abreast of the latest developments in the military field. Then, the BDF Commander-in-Chief and the audience watched a short documentary on the session. After two speeches given on behalf of the graduates and the participants from brotherly countries, two poems were recited. Then, the BDF Commander-in-Chief presented the graduates and top achievers with certificates and prizes of appreciation. He conveyed to them the greetings and congratulations of HM the King, the Supreme Commander, stressing the great support and care given by HM the King to the Royal Command, Staff and National Defence College. He affirmed the college’s dedication of all its capabilities to provide top level military grooming. He pointed out the college’s good regional reputation, thanking its staff and wishing the graduates every success in serving the nation. The ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Supreme Health Council Lt. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Interior Minister Lt. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Head of HM the King’s Military Office Shaikh Abdullah bin Salman Al Khalifa, Supreme Defence Council Secretary General Lt. General Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi, National Guard Staff Director Major General Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Khalifa, Public Security Chief Major General Taraq bin Hassan Al Hassan and ambassadors and Military Attaches of the countries of the participating officers.