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Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at the age of 74, the country’s Amiri Diwan said.
“With hearts steadfast in faith in God’s decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late – may God have mercy on him – His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning,” the Amiri Diwan said in a statement on Sunday.
Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, was a key architect of the energy-rich country’s stunning ambitions.
During his reign, the country saw economic, social and cultural development that bolstered its status in the international community.
Sheikh Hamad was born in 1952. His mother died soon after his birth and he was raised by his uncle.
He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1971, and was then commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in Qatar’s armed forces.
A few months later he returned to Qatar and was made commander of a mobile brigade, which later became a force called “Hamad Brigade”.
In 1972, Sheikh Hamad had the rank of general, and became army chief of staff. Next he was appointed commander-in-chief of Qatar’s armed forces with the rank of major general. In 1977 he was named minister of defence.
