The Emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Isa bin Sulman al-Khalifa, is beginning a two-day visit to Washington during which he'll hold talks with President Clinton.

The Emir , who will also meet the American Defence Secretary, William Cohen, and the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, is expected to discuss topics including defence co-operation and the Middle East peace process.

Bahrain -- the headquarters of the American navy's Fifth Fleet -- is Washington's oldest ally in the Gulf.

A BBC correspondent in the region says the visit comes at a critical time for American foreign policy in the Gulf, as Arab states are widely disenchanted with the US-backed Middle East peace process.