Qatar's emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is stepping down and handing power to his son, the country's 33-year-old crown prince.
Qatar's Emir Transfers Power to Son
1
Qatari emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, 61, took the rare step for a Gulf Arab ruler of voluntarily ceding power to his son Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to try to ensure a smooth succession.
2
The former defence minister and Crown Prince of Qatar Prince Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani makes a speech on state-run radio, that he has taken control of the oil-rich Gulf emirate by ousting his father, Sheik Khalifa Bin Hamid al-Thani, while he was out of the country, in Doha, Qatar, June 27, 1995.
3
President Barack Obama, right, stands with Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar following their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, April 23, 2013.
4
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at Wajbah Palace in Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2013.