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Bahrain GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Government: Ruler (amir) is head of state and
head of
government. Shaykh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa became amir
in 1961;
his son and designated successor, Shaykh Hamad ibn Isa Al
Khalifa, continued to serve as deputy prime minister in
1993.
National Assembly elected in 1973, dissolved in 1975; no
plans in
1993 to reestablish it.
Politics: No political parties. Senior members
of Al
Khalifa and other notable families dominate political and
economic decision making.
Foreign Relations: Shaykh Isa ibn Salman
continued in
1993 to maintain friendly relations with most countries,
Iraq
being the principal exception. Major diplomatic activities
channeled through Gulf Cooperation Council. Member of
United
Nations, League of Arab States, Organization of the
Petroleum
Exporting Countries, and Organization of the Islamic
Conference.
Data as of January 1993
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