Qatar's former emir has returned to Doha and is "successfully recovering" following an emergency operation in Switzerland after breaking a leg while on holiday, the government said Tuesday.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, known as the "Father Emir", broke his leg while holidaying at a Moroccan resort in the Atlas mountains in late December.

He arrived back in Qatar on Monday and was welcomed by his son, the ruling Emir Sheikh Tamim, and members of the royal family, the government said in a statement.

"Father Emir is well and is successfully recovering from his leg injury," it said.

The former ruler was flown to Zurich after the injury happened on December 26, and underwent an operation at the Schulthess Clinic.

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad, one of the former emir's sons, posted a picture on Twitter which showed Sheikh Hamad, 64, sitting on a wheelchair apparently on his arrival back to Qatar.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, overseeing its transformation into one of the richest countries of the world.

He stepped down from power in June 2013 when he announced in a televised address he would hand power to his son.

As many as nine planes belonging to Qatar's royal family landed in Switzerland following the injury to the former ruler.
Source: AFP