Qatar began three days of mourning on Monday (October 24th) after the death of former Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, who oversaw the start of the country's transformation into an energy powerhouse, AFP reported.
Prayers were to take place at the national mosque with huge crowds expected, after which the former ruler will be buried. Flags on official buildings flew at half-mast.
The 84-year-old former ruler, grandfather of the current Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, died on Sunday, Qatar News Agency said, without giving the cause.
Sheikh Tamim ordered three days of official mourning.
Prior to becoming ruler, Khalifa served as Qatar's prime minister. He took power from a cousin in February 1972, just months after Qatar gained independence. He also was seen as a founding father of the Gulf Co-operation Council.
