Qatar's government said Sunday that former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled the Gulf state from 1995 to 2013 and transformed it into a global power, has died at age 74.
"With hearts steadfast in faith in God's decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir 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," read a statement published by the emir's office on social media.
The former leader was seen as one of the key architects of modern Qatar and led the country during a period of rapid economic growth.
Sheikh Hamad took power from his father in June 1995. He inherited a small, largely marginal emirate with nearly empty coffers and transformed it into a major player on the regional and international stage.
Within a few years, he laid the foundations for Qatar's rapid development. Although the country is only about one-third the size of Belgium, it possesses one of the world's largest natural gas reserves.
