Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad appointed Prime Minister of Bahrain

It comes after the death of Prince Khalifa bin Salman on Wednesday at the age of 84

The Crown Prince of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad, is now Prime Minister. Reuters

Bahrain’s King Hamad on Wednesday appointed Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad as Prime Minister.

The new prime minister is the eldest son of King Hamad and served as deputy prime minister for seven years.

"His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today issued Royal Order 44 of 2020 assigning His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, to chair the Council of Ministers," Bahrain News Agency said.

The order came as Bahrain’s Royal Court announced a week of official mourning after the death on Wednesday of former prime minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman at the age of 84.

Flags will fly at half staff for the week and government ministries and departments will be closed for three days starting on Thursday.

Educated in Bahrain, Prince Salman holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from the American University in Washington and a master's in philosophy and history from the University of Cambridge.

Prince Khalifa had been undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the US when he died, the Bahrain News Agency said, and his burial will take place when his body is returned to Bahrain.

The ceremony will be limited to specific family members because of the pandemic.

State television aired a recitation of Quranic verses, showing a black-and-white image of the prince, who had served as prime minister since 1970.