Qatar's Amiri Diwan announced on Sunday the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the country's former emir and father of the current ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at the age of 74.
Born in Doha in 1952, Sheikh Hamad received his early education in Qatar before graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 1971.
He subsequently joined the Qatari Armed Forces and steadily rose through the ranks of the country's leadership.
In 1977, he was appointed Crown Prince and Minister of Defence, before becoming Chairman of the Supreme Planning Council in 1989, where he oversaw the country's social and economic development policies.
Sheikh Hamad assumed power as Emir of Qatar in 1995. During his 18-year reign, Qatar witnessed significant investments in all fields.
In 2013, Sheikh Hamad transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
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