"The Emiri Diwan mourns the passing of the nation's esteemed leader, the late Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," the administrative office of the Qatari Emir said in a statement, Xinhua reported.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, when he transferred power to his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.