Former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74

World deathqatar Former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74 Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa 1024x575 Relevant News Former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dies at 74 12 July 2026 Four centres of power shape the Right’s race to Cyprus’s 2028 presidential election 12 July 2026 Lindsey Graham, pivotal US Republican senator, dies suddenly at 71 12 July 2026 Newsroom 12 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Qatar’s former emir, who revolutionised Qatar out of its Bedouin background to a regional powerhouse, has died at the age of 74, the nation’s Amiri Diwan, its top government body, said on Sunday. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, before abdicating to his son Sheikh Tamim, the current leader of the gas-rich Gulf country. “The Amiri Diwan announced the death of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Sunday morning. May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him the best reward for what he achieved for his homeland and nation,” the Diwan said. Sheikh Hamad had elevated Qatar’s global profile through the development of the Al Jazeera television network, as well as its successful bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup tournament. The U.S.-allied state is small, with more than 2.5 million people, but is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, a global investment powerhouse and heavy hitter in Middle East diplomacy and international media. Sheikh Hamad handed power to his son, the then crown prince, in June 2013 in a rare abdication by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler, to try to ensure a smooth succession. He himself had overthrown his father in a bloodless coup in 1995. (Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Four centres of power shape the Right’s race to Cyprus’s 2028 presidential election Lindsey Graham, pivotal US Republican senator, dies suddenly at 71 Sirens to sound across Cyprus on 15 and 20 July 1,600 cannabinoid products seized at Larnaca airport, two arrested Fire service on heightened alert after surge in countryside blazes Two killed and four injured in shooting near Toronto salsa festival Spontaneous combustion sparks fire at Ayia Marina home Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.