Sheikh Hamad presided over one of the most consequential periods in Qatar's history, driving a rapid transformation of the tiny desert state that reshaped its economy, global profile and political ambition.

Sheikh Hamad presided over one of the most consequential periods in Qatar's history, driving a rapid transformation of the tiny desert state that reshaped its economy, global profile and political ambition.

DOHA, July 12 - 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 years later, has died at the age of 74. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

DOHA, July 12 - 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 years later, has died at the age of 74. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.