Speculation in Bahrain is now rife about the future prospects of prime minister (since 1970) Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, for so long apparently immortal, if somewhat amoral. Aged 82, the world’s longest-serving premier remains a dominant player for now, with his conservative views proving more resilient than the liberalising policies that marked the early years on the throne of his nephew King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa and nephew Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad.
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