Qatari Emir abdicates for "young leadership"
By Nehal El-Sherif, dpa
Doha (dpa) - Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Tuesday transferred power to his 33-year-old son and heir apparent, Sheikh Tamim, who inherits a legacy of pushing for a bigger role in the region.
"The time has come to open a new page in the history of the country where a new generation takes over," Sheikh Hamad said in a televised speech.
"As I address you today; I declare that I will hand over the reins of power to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; and I am fully certain that he is up to the responsibility," added the 61-year-old retiring emir. "And I am sure you will support him as you have done with me."
He said it is time that a new generation takes responsibility ushering "a new era under a young leadership working tirelessly."
Qatari dignitaries headed to the palace to pledge allegiance to Sheikh Tamim, who became heir apparent in 2003. The process will take two days.
Sheikh Tamim has been increasingly involved in domestic and foreign policy, including the conflicts in Libya and Syria, according to analyst Salman Shaikh, the Director of Brookings Doha Center.
Observers expect that a new cabinet will be announced in the coming days, and that there will be several new, younger ministers replacing the older faces appointed by the former emir.
It is not clear if he will replace Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, who also holds the Foreign Ministry portfolio since 1992.
"A key task of the new Emir, however, will be to improve relations with both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have been affected by the dramatic changes taking place in the region," Shaikh wrote on the think tank's website.
US President Barack Obama was among the international leaders offering congratulations to the new emir.
"Qatar is an important partner of the United States, and we look forward to further strengthening our cooperation in the years ahead," Obama said in a statement.
"The United States looks forward to working with Sheikh Tamim to deepen the ties between our two countries, and to continue our close partnership on issues of mutual interest," he said.
Doha supported the 2011 uprisings that swept the region and rising Islamists in North Africa, largely upsetting its Gulf neighbours.
"Having a new leader will be an opportunity to develop better relations with other Gulf states, but it is not guaranteed," said Jane Kinninmont, Senior MENA Research Fellow at Chatham House.
"Sheikh Tamim is seen as sympathetic to political Islam, which marks a profound ideological difference with the UAE. But both countries know they need to find some kind of understanding on this issue if the Gulf Cooperation Council is to play the regional leadership role it aspires to," she told dpa.
There is also increasing criticism of Qatari policies among liberal and opposition groups in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and even Algeria. Many think Qatar is using its money and its popular Al Jazeera broadcaster to support Islamists in these countries.
"It is not clear if Sheikh Tamim regards this as a problem but the transition represents an opportunity to pause and take stock of Qatar's strategic position in the region," Kinninmont added.
Sheikh Hamad deposed his father in a bloodless palace coup in 1995, with the support of the royal family while his father was out of the country.
During his rule, Sheikh Hamad put his small country on the world's economic and political map.
He used Qatar's oil and gas wealth to make strategic investments abroad. Under his reign, Qatar also won the bid to host the 2022 football World Cup.
The Qatari economy grew 6.3 per cent in 2012. It also enjoys a booming real estate sector.
According to the International Monetary Fund, Qatar has the highest per capita income in the world.
