King Hamad of Bahrain issued a decree pardoning 269 prisoners on the eve of the country’s National Day.
Bahrain marked on Monday 48 years since its independence from the United Kingdom and the 20 years since King Hamad took the throne.
Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad, Bahrain's deputy chairman of the supreme council for youth and sports, said the day marks Bahrain's modern achievements.
He stated that such developments were thanks to the government's unique programme that reflects the objectives of King Hamad's reform plans.
Various Gulf and Arab leaders sent their congratulatory messages to kingdom.
The Saudi ambassador to Bahrain, Prince Sultan bin Ahmed, said the “relations between Riyadh and Manama are solid and deep rooted which are based on harmony and co-operation that must be set as an example."
Riyadh and Bahrain launched a Co-ordination Council in July that is based on "the distinguished relations that reflect the rational approach and sound vision of the two states,” he said.
The council is comprised of political, military, economic and media committees that aims to increase co-operation and integration between the two states.
Bahrain’s ambassador to the UK, Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed, commemorated the establishment of the modern Bahraini state on Sunday evening during an event at the embassy in London.
Ambassador Sheikh Fawaz hailed the significant changes that Bahrain had undergone during the rule of King Hamad.
The Bahraini official also stressed the importance of enhancing further “co-operation with the UK in all fields such as security, politics and economics.”
The UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, wishes Bahrain and its citizens "prosperity and advancement. May God safe guard the kingdom and ensure its security and stability."
خالص تهانينا للبحرين ملكا وشعبا بمناسبة اليوم الوطني ال 48 .. تمنياتنا لأهلنا وأشقائنا في البحرين مزيدا من التقدم والازدهار والرفعة .. حفظ الله المملكة وأدام عليها الخير والأمن والاستقرار. pic.twitter.com/onZEvYfEcX
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) December 15, 2019
His congratulations were echoed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who said "every year our citizens become closer, loving and mutually supportive. May God preserve your security and stability."
Tech giant Google joined Bahrainis in celebrating their country’s National Day on Monday.
إلى الشقيقة البحرين ... شعبا وملكاً .. كل عام وأنتم بخير .. كل عام ووطنكم في خير ورفعة وعزة.. كل عام وشعبينا أكثر أخوة ومحبة وتعاضداً ... أدام الله عليكم الأمن والاستقرار والنعمة .. pic.twitter.com/6z1c7jNCG4
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 15, 2019
The search engine marked the day with a dedicated doodle featuring the kingdom's national flag.
