RIYADH: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has departed for Bahrain after completing a four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, the first by a Malaysian monarch in over four decades.
The special aircraft carrying His Majesty left the Royal Terminal at King Khalid International Airport at 2.23pm local time (7.23pm Malaysian time).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is accompanying the King on the visit to Bahrain.
At the airport to bid farewell were the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, and the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al Khateeb.
Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Datuk Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, and the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Malaysia, Nik Ady Arman Nik Mohd Kamil.
The visit marked the first state visit to Saudi Arabia by a Malaysian King since the late Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah's official visit in 1984.
During the visit, Sultan Ibrahim was accorded a state welcoming ceremony at the Al-Yamamah Palace. The King also visited the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and the headquarters of Arabian Oud in Riyadh.
Accompanying His Majesty were Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj and Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj.
Saudi Arabia is Malaysia's 14th largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to RM44.74bil (US$9.79bil). – Bernama
