U.S. PLEDGES TO REMAIN IN BAHRAIN

ABU DHABI [MENL] -- The United States has pledged to maintain its navalpresence in Bahrain. U.S. officials said the naval presence will remain in Bahrain as part ofstrategic relations between Manama and Washington. But they said themilitary footprint in Bahrain will vary in accordance with threatassessments in the Persian Gulf region. About 3,000 U.S. navy personnel havebeen based in the kingdom.