Qatar’s former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at age 74, state news agency says
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar who transformed the nation into a global diplomatic and economic power, has died at age 74. He is noted for his role in founding Al Jazeera and his rare voluntary abdication of power in 2013.
Why it matters
His leadership fundamentally altered Qatar's geopolitical standing and influence in the Middle East.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who as ruler of Qatar transformed the tiny Persian Gulf nation into a global player in diplomacy, media and investment, and then shattered tradition by voluntarily turning over power to his son, has died, state media reported. He was 74.
The state-run Qatar News Agency reported his death. It offered no cause.
Sheikh Hamad, who stepped down in June 2013 after 18 years as emir, was the architect of energy-rich Qatar’s stunning ambitions that turned it from a backwater into an international crossroads in less than a generation. Qatar owns the Harrod’s department store in London and founded the powerful Al Jazeera satellite news network.
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