World leaders flock to Qatar to pay respects to late Father Emir
Over three days, dignitaries from across the globe are visiting Qatar to mourn former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died at 74.
Since Monday, the Lusail Palace has hosted mourning ceremonies where Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives leaders from around the world. The late former emir, who ruled from 1995 to 2013 and modernized Qatar, died on Saturday.
From the Middle East and North Africa, mourners include Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun, Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Iraq's President Nizar Amidi and former Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ajman Crown Prince Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Saudi Arabia's Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud representing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, Libya's interim head Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Younis al-Menfi. The GCC and Arab League secretaries-general also offered condolences.
From Europe, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Swiss Vice President Ignazio Cassis arrived. FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid respects on Monday.
From Africa, Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended.
From South Asia, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu came. India is sending Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. From Asia Pacific, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev offered condolences.
Emir Sheikh Tamim also received phone condolences from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
