Former Emir of Qatar Has Died at Age 74

The former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who transformed Qatar from a country with Bedouin roots into a regional power, has died at age 74. Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, then abdicated in favor of his son, Sheikh Tamim, the country's current leader.

Qatar is a small country and an ally of the United States. Yet with a population of more than 2.5 million, it is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, a global investment powerhouse, and a major player in Middle Eastern diplomacy and international media.

Sheikh Hamad raised Qatar's global profile through the development of the Al Jazeera television network, as well as the country's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

(Reuters, MJA)