Qatar’s former Emir Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani dies at the age of 83.

The Qatari Royal Court announced on Sunday the death of the former emir Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani at the age of 83.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also declared a three-day public mourning.

The late emir ruled Qatar from 1972 until 1995 when his son Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the father of Qatar’s current emir Sheikh Tamim, took over.

Sheikh Hamad handed power in 2013 to his son Sheikh Tamim.

Qatar is small, with 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.

[vuukle]

Related articles across the web

• Political dialogue can settle Mideast issues: Rouhani
• Hyperloop One gains $50 million in funding from DP World Group of Dubai
• Qatari emir makes outreach effort to Iran's president
• Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan
• Sudan to declare 'end to Darfur conflict'
• Qatari Emir Urges Dialogue Between Iran, Arab Nations In Call To Rohani
• Emir of Kano, Sanusi buys new N132m Rolls Royce for Sallah [PHOTO]
• Kuwait to change law forcing all citizens to provide DNA samples
• Kuwait emir dissolves parliament
• EGA Opens Kamsar Container Terminal in Guinea