Former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad, a modernizer who seized power, has died

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QATAR'S SHEIKH HAMAD. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani addresses the first meeting of his cabinet, in Doha, Qatar, October 30, 1996.

Qatar's top government body, the Amiri Diwan, announces Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani died on July 12. It did not mention the cause of his death.

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar’s former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, a sweeping modernizer who seized power in 1995 and broke with tradition to hand it over to his son 18 years later, has died at the age of 74.

Qatar’s top government body, the Amiri Diwan, announced that Sheikh Hamad had died on Sunday morning, July 12. It did not mention the cause of his death.