Former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad passes away

DOHA:

Qatar's former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who transformed the Gulf state into a regional and global powerhouse, died on Sunday at the age of 74, the nation's Amiri Diwan announced.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013 before abdicating in favour of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current emir, in a rare voluntary transfer of power by a hereditary Gulf Arab ruler aimed at ensuring a smooth succession. He had himself come to power after a bloodless coup against his father in 1995.

"The Amiri Diwan announced the death of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Sunday morning. May Almighty have mercy on his soul and grant him the best reward for what he achieved for his homeland and nation," the Amiri Diwan said in a statement.

Sheikh Hamad was regarded as one of the principal architects of modern Qatar, overseeing a period of rapid economic growth that elevated the country into a major global exporter of liquefied natural gas, an influential investor and a key player in Middle East diplomacy.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over Sheikh Hamad's passing and extended heartfelt condolences to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the government and the brotherly people of Qatar.