Huda Nonoo became the first Jewish envoy of an Arab state to the US, and Bahrain's first non-Muslim ambassador after taking oath in Bahrain on Thursday.

His Majesty King Hamad formally appointed Nonoo, a former Shura Council member,as plenipotentiary Bahrain ambassador to the US.

Nonoo is from a well-respected Bahraini Jewish family.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid Al Khalifa has also been named ambassador to the UK, with the same rank.

The King has also transferred Bahrain's current Ambassador to the US Dr Nasser Mohammed Yusif Al Balooshi to France, with the same rank.