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Pompeo, Bahraini FM discuss bilateral, regional issues

WASHINGTON, July 17 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Wednesday with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa on the margins of the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom during which he thanked him for Bahrain's "continued strong partnership with the United States and for its efforts to advance peace and prosperity in the region." State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that Pompeo and his Bahraini counterpart discussed "heightened tensions in the region and the need for stronger maritime security in order to promote freedom of navigation." They also discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, "including countering the Iranian regime's destabilizing activities." Furthermore, Pompeo congratulated Sheikh Khalid "for hosting the Peace to Prosperity workshop in Bahrain." Meanwhile, Pompeo tweeted that he with met with his Bahraini counterpart "to discuss maritime security, countering the Iran regime's destabilizing activity." "The US is grateful for Bahrain's continued strong partnership and efforts to advance peace and prosperity," he added. (end) si