Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died aged 74. He was the former Emir of Qatar.

An emir is a Gulf Arab ruler similar to a king. He took power in 1996.

He staged a peaceful takeover against his own father. He later turned Qatar into a rich gas-producing power.

Sheikh Hamad modernized Qatar during his rule. He also chose dialogue over conflict with other nations.

He stepped down as Emir in June 2013. He stayed an important figure in Qatar and the Middle East.

Qatar announced four days of mourning for him. Flags across the country are flying at half-mast.

World leaders have sent condolences including Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi also responded.

The Palestinian group Hamas also praised his legacy. Tributes noted his peace efforts in Darfur, Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.