Emir Sheikh Tamim takes the helm in Qatar

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani has abdicated in favour of his son, 33-year-old Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. In a televised speech to the nation on 25 June, Sheikh Hamad said it was time for a new generation to step forward and shoulder the responsibility of leadership, and declared he was handing power to Tamim, heir apparent since 2003.