Afghanistan, July 12 -- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who oversaw the country's transformation into a major regional and global power during his 18-year reign, died on Sunday at the age of 74, Qatar's state news agency reported.
Qatar News Agency (QNA) announced Sheikh Hamad's death on July 12 but did not disclose the cause.
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until June 2013, when he voluntarily abdicated in favor of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The peaceful transfer of power was one of the first voluntary successions by a Gulf ruler in the modern era.
During his reign, Qatar experienced rapid economic growth driven by the expansion of its liquefied natural gas industry. The country invested hea...