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Sixth Qatari Emir, the Man of Independence Passes away | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani passes away


Dammam- The emiri diwan, or royal court, announced the death of the former emir of Qatar Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the deceased ruler’s grandson, declared three days of mourning.

“His highness father Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani passed away on the evening of Sunday October 23, 2016, at the age of 84 years,” read the official statement. “His highness has ordered public mourning across the country for three days.”

He is known as the man of independence from Britain mandate in 1971, as he declared the state as independent on the 3rd of September 1971 and he repealed 1916 agreement between Qatar and Britain. Sheikh Khalifa is the sixth Qatari emir who became in charge on 22 October 1972.

Sheikh Khalifa took different positions and tasks; he worked as commander of the security forces and in-charge of civilian courts in the country. Then he became the deputy ruler of the country on October 24 1960 and finance minister on November 5 that year. On May 29 1970 he assumed the position of the prime minister in addition to being the finance minister, deputy ruler of the country and minister for oil.

HH Sheikh Khalifa is credited with launching the foundations of a modern state and restructuring government bodies and departments, such as the ministry of defense.

During his reign, the Advisory Council was restructured on December; the State Audit Bureau was created to audit the performance of government bodies.

Sheikh Khalifa remained in power until 27 June 1995.