Qatar's outgoing emir in pictures
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani announces he is handing power over to his son
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (left) has announced he will hand power to his son Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (right). (Getty Images) The Emir took power when he ousted his father, Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani (pictured) in a bloodless coup in 1995. (Getty Images) The Emir’s influence on the world stage has increased hugely during his 18 year reign. He met with then US President Bill Clinton in 1997, a premier he would go on to meet a number of times. (Getty Images) Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa al-Thani made an official visit to the United Kingdom in 1997, where he met newly elected British Prime Minister Tony Blair 22 July. The emir also met Queen Elizabeth II during the visit, which also saw Britain sign an accord to sell $810m worth of arms to Qatar. (Getty Images) The Emir has been a prominent player in the region. Here he is seen (second left) at the opening session of 1998’s Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit. Also pictured are (left to right) Ezzdine Laraki, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Emir of Kuwait Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabbah, Emir of Bahrain Issa Ibn Salman al-Khalifa, Sultan Qabus of Oman, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed Ibn Sultan al-Nahayan, South African President Nelson Mandela, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdel Aziz, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Esmat Abdel Meguid, Secretary General of the Arab League. (Getty Images) Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was also another high profile head of state who the Emir had regular meetings with. (Getty Images) Immediately after the terrorist attacks on New York on 11 September 2001, the Emir showed his support for the US-led anti-terrorism coalition. Here he listens as former US Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks to reporters. (Getty Images) The Emir strengthened Qatari-US ties, as the US Military Central Command that ran the war against Iraq was headquartered in Doha. Former US President George W. Bush met with the Emir numerous times. (Getty Images) Infrastructure and transport were often high on the Emir’s agenda. Here he and former French President Jacques Chirac (back right) applaud as Qatar Airways President Akbar Al Baker (front left) shakes hand with Airbus CEO French Noel Forgeard (right), after Qatar Airways acquired 18 Airbus aircraft in 2003. (Getty Images) The Emir’s wife, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al-Misnad, has also become a familiar figure on the world stage. Here the couple arrive at the official launching of a charity program in Doha in 2006. (Getty Images) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s long list of meetings with world heads of state also includes those with Russia’s Vladimir Putin (pictured), Syria’s Assad, Iran’s Ahmadinejad, and Venezuela’s former President, Hugo Chavez. (Getty Images) The Emir walks the streets during the annual Qatar National Day celebrations on 18 December. (Getty Images) The Emir has remained active on the world stage, continually meeting premiers, including US President Barak Obama in April this year. (Getty Images) Power will pass to Crown Prince Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who has been active in government for many years. Here he receives former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage in 2004. (Getty Images)
