He took power in 1996 after staging a bloodless coup against his father, and went on to transform Qatar into the gas-rich power it is today.

By Andrew Mills DOHA, July 12 (Reuters) - Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, a sweeping moderniser who seized power in 1995 and broke with tradition to hand it over to his son 18 ...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — 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 ...

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar who dramatically reshaped the tiny Persian Gulf nation into a global powerhouse before making the unprecedented move of voluntarily ...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- 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 ...

Sheikh Hamad’s personal wealth placed him among the richest leaders in the world’s royal circles.

"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 b ...

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Imam Muhammad ...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates(AP) — Qatar's former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at age 74, state-run news agency says.

Middle East News: On July 12, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, died at the age of 74, remembered for his transformative impact on Qatar's governance and societal ...