World leaders flock to Doha to offer condolences

Doha – Agencies: For the second consecutive day, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received large crowds of mourners at Lusail Palace yesterday to offer condolences on the passing of the late Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi, accompanied by their official delegations, who all paid their respects following the death of the late Emir. He also received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Swiss Vice President Ignazio Cassis, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy, and Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Council Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, who likewise offered their condolences.

Earlier on Monday, the Emir of Qatar had received large numbers of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries, citizens, and accredited diplomatic corps members to pay their respects. He also met with several heads and leaders of states, including Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who visited Doha to offer condolences. A Saudi delegation comprising Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, Eastern Province Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, and Cabinet Minister Prince Turki bin Mohammed also visited.

Yesterday, Sheikh Tamim also received Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, Iraqi President Nizar al-Ahmed, Libyan Unity Government Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Additionally, he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who conveyed condolences on the passing of the late Emir.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Presidency announced that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to visit Qatar to offer condolences, noting that Erdogan has issued a decree appointing his deputy, Cevdet Yilmaz, to assume leadership of the country during his external visit. Following the announcement of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s death, Erdogan issued a condolence message. Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Monday, he said, “Sheikh Hamad played a prominent role in Qatar’s development journey up to this day, thanks to his wise leadership. He was a conscious, resolute, and devoted Muslim, deeply engaged in Islamic world issues, particularly the Palestinian cause, and proactive in healing wounds wherever they existed.”

In parallel, the Emir of Qatar received condolence telegrams and phone calls from numerous heads of state, government leaders, and prime ministers, who expressed sincere sympathy to Qatar’s leadership and people. Condolence messages also continued to pour in via the official accounts of leaders worldwide on the X platform.

The Diwan Amiri (Emiri Court) announced a four-day national mourning period starting on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with flags flown at half-mast. Government ministries, state agencies, and public institutions suspended operations starting Monday, with official work resuming on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Qatar buried the late Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, on Sunday evening, amid widespread public attendance and high-level official participation. The funeral procession began after the funeral prayer at the Muhammad bin Abdulwahhab Mosque in Doha, attended by Sheikh Tamim, senior members of the ruling family, top officials, and a large gathering of citizens and residents, before he was laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is regarded as one of the most prominent leaders who contributed to transitioning Qatar into a new phase of comprehensive development. During his reign, the country witnessed major economic transformations and significant progress in energy, media, education, and infrastructure sectors. A mood of grief pervaded the country, with citizens expressing deep sorrow over the former Emir’s passing, affirming that his legacy will remain present in the state’s journey and achievements.