The new emir
Qatar's Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, 33, has been groomed for years to take the helm of the super-rich Gulf state and key Western ally.
Since his appointment as heir apparent a decade ago, Sheik Tamim has held top security and economic posts, as well as overseeing Qatar's ambitious plans to use sports to raise its international profile.
As National Olympic Committee chairman, the prince, who is himself a keen player of both tennis and soccer, supervised Qatar's successful bid to bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup to the desert nation of just 250,000 citizens.
The British-educated prince is also chairman of the board of Qatar Investment Authority, the emirate's sovereign wealth fund, which has invested billions of dollars in some of Britain's best-known landmarks and businesses.
Sheik Hamad's fourth son, the prince only became heir apparent in August 2003 on the abdication of his brother Jassem, one year his senior.
The young prince also has a keen interest in history and heritage. He oversaw the restoration of Souq Waqef, a working class market in Doha which has turned into one of the Qatari capital's main tourist attractions.
Sheik Tamim has two wives and six children. Muslim tradition allows men to take up to four wives.
AFP
(China Daily 06/26/2013 page11)
