Shiek Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has seized Qatar’s reign today

The Heir Apparent Shiek Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has officialy seized power today after the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has handed it over.

In a speech broadcast on Qatar television, he said it was time for a new generation to take over.

For days, reports have not stopped saying that Sheikh Tamim, 33 years old, was preparing to succeed his 61-year-old father.

Sheikh Hamad said, addressing the nation on a national holiday,: “I announce handing the rule over to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani”.

Some analysts said that a future change is not likely to take place, because Tamim is already participating in decision-making.

Sheikh Tamim is also the head of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, which is in charge of preparing the emirate to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Qatar has previously armed the opposition of the late Muamar al-Gaddafi of Libya, as it continues to arm Syrian opposition for the time being.

Tamim has good ties with Conservatives, and his authority has crystallized when he took responsibility of the country’s arms and Defense, besides being second in command of the General Leader of the armed forces.

A diplomatic source told France Press agency that “Tamim has good ties with Saudi Arabia and the west, especially Washington and Paris; those ties are crucial for Qatar to continue its leading political role in the region.”

Ties between Saudi Arabia and Qatar was so strained during Hamads reign, however, he managed to achieve a historic reconciliation with Riyadh between 2007 and 2008.

In 2003, he named Sheikh Tamim – his second son by his second wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser – as his heir apparent. He replaced his elder brother, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Tamim is the head of the Supreme Council for Economic Affairs and Investment; he was educated at theBritish Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, Unlike his father.

Tamim is fluent at French, has 2 wives and 6 children; the older of daughters is 7 years while the older of sons is 5 years.