Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar's Former Ruler, Dies at 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, died on July 12 at the age of 74. The Amiri Diwan announced the death Sunday morning and did not disclose the cause. Sheikh Hamad came to power after a bloodless coup that removed his father, Sheikh Khalifa.

He abdicated voluntarily in June 2013 and transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During his reign Qatar adopted its first permanent constitution in 2004 and introduced municipal elections that allowed women to vote and stand as candidates. Al Jazeera was launched in 1996.

Qatar hosted the 2022 men's FIFA World Cup. Sheikh Hamad directed the purchase of London's Harrods department store and oversaw the expansion of Qatar Airways. The Doha international airport project, which cost at least $15 billion, was completed under his direction.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered condolences after the announcement. The Independent reported that Sheikh Hamad became the first head of state to visit the Gaza Strip since Hamas seized control, in October 2012, and promised a total of $400 million in projects and investments.

He met in 2007 with Israel's then-foreign minister Tzipi Livni at the United Nations General Assembly.

Qatar allowed an Israeli trade office to operate in Doha until it was ordered closed in response to Israel's attacks on Gaza in late 2008. Qatar formally opened an office for Afghanistan's Taliban in one of his last initiatives before his abdication.