New Delhi, July 12 -- Qatar's ​former Emir Sheikh ​Hamad ​bin Khalifa Al ⁠Thani ​has ​died at the ​age ​of 74, Doha's ⁠Amiri Diwan, its ​top ​government ⁠body, ​said on Sunday (local time), without stating a cause.

The Amiri Diwan in a statement said, "With hearts steadfast in faith in God's decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late - may God have mercy on him - His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning."

Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 as emir, is widely credited with driving Qatar's rapid transformation from a relatively isolated Gulf state into a maj...