Doha, July 12 -- Qatar's former Emir and Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at the age of 74, the Amiri Diwan announced on Sunday, July 12.

In a statement, the Amiri Diwan expressed its condolences, saying Sheikh Hamad had passed away on Sunday morning and prayed for Allah's mercy and forgiveness upon him. No further details were immediately released.

Leader who reshaped modern Qatar

Sheikh Hamad served as Emir from 1995 until 2013, when he voluntarily transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a rare succession by abdication in the Gulf.

His nearly two decades in office transformed Qatar from a relatively small Gulf state into a country with significant global influence. Rapid expansion of l...