Published on
Leaders from across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East have travelled to Doha to offer their condolences to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani following the death of his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The visits came as Qatar continued a four-day period of national mourning for the former ruler, who died on Sunday at the age of 74.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the first European heads of government to arrive and met Sheikh Tamim at Lusail Palace to express her condolences.
Swiss Vice President Ignazio Cassis also came to the Lusail to offer his condolences on Tuesday.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also travelled to Doha, describing Sheikh Hamad as “an outstanding statesman” whose leadership transformed Qatar.
Tributes from across continents
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was among several regional leaders to pay his respects, as were Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, all of whom offered their condolences.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame also travelled to Doha, in a show of wide-ranging international support during the mourning period.
Kagame described Sheikh Hamad as “a visionary leader who transformed Qatar into the remarkable nation it is today.”
“His legacy of service to his people and commitment to friendship and cooperation among nations will endure for generations,” Kagame added.
Widely regarded as the architect of modern Qatar, Sheikh Hamad oversaw a period of rapid economic, diplomatic and cultural transformation that helped establish the Gulf state as a global player.
During his reign, Qatar expanded its role as an international mediator, developed one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas industries and secured the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Infantino joins mourners
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also among those to visit Lusail Palace.
In a message posted on social media, Infantino described Sheikh Hamad as “the man who shaped Qatar into a great nation”, adding that he had taught him “that bravery means embracing change and always moving forward.”
Infantino, who has often called Qatar his “second home”, said he felt “Qatari” as he joined mourners in paying his respects to the former emir.
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until voluntarily handing power to his son in 2013, becoming one of the few Gulf leaders to oversee a peaceful transfer of power during his lifetime.