Qatar's Former Leader Dies

Emyri's “Byrow laments the great loss for the late nation, the merciful God”, says in a statement, reports BBC, Periscope broadcast.

Sheikh Hamad was one of the main minds behind modern Qatar and had taken power from his father in June 1995 in a coup without bloodshed.

He is credited with transforming the state economy into today's rich global power, thanks to its large reserves of gas. But his reign also had controversy, including Qatar's bid for the World Cup in 2010.