Sheikh Hamad to transfer power to son soon

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, is preparing to hand control of the gas-rich Gulf state to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad for personal and political reasons, said French daily Le Figaro. The arrangements in this regard are expected to take place soon, may be before the holy fasting month of Ramadan, said the newspaper. The French daily said that the Qatari emir informed one of his French friends that he will leave power within four years (2016) to encourage the new generation of politicians and rulers. Sheikh Tamim, born in 1980, is the second son of the emir and his second wife Sheikha Mozah. The crown prince is joint commander of the armed forces and head of the country's Olympic committee