Bahrain's Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, one of the world's longest-serving prime ministers died at age 84 on Wednesday, the Bahrain Palace reported. Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa led his island nation's government for decades and survived the 2011 Arab Spring protests that demanded his ouster over corruption allegations.
The prince, who represented an older style of Gulf leadership had been receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the US. Khalifa bin Salman represented the old guard in more ways than just age and seniority. He is the son of Bahrain's former ruler Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Burial of the prince will take place once his body is repatriated. The number of attendees to the funeral will be limited. In 1961, Prince Khalifa's brother Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa took power and served as its monarch when Bahrain gained independence in 1971. At the time Prince Khalifa ran the government and economy, leading Bahrain to develop rapidly beyond its dependence on dwindling oil resources.
Bahrain's King Hamad announced a week of mourning with flags flown at half-mast.
