FILE - In this Tuesday, March 26, 2013 file photo, Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, center, attends the opening session of the Arab League Summit in Doha. Qatar’s emir moves to hand power over to his son, aiming to bring a youthful new face to rule in a tiny Gulf nation that has become one of the most powerful in the Middle East, aggressively spreading its influence through cash. (AP Photo/Ghiath Mohamad, File)
June 23, 2013 - 11:16 PM
DOHA, Qatar - The Qatar-based network Al Jazeera says the Gulf nation's leader plans meetings with ruling family members to possibly start handing over power to the crown prince.
The report gave no other details about the expected talks Monday, but Al Jazeera was founded by Qatar's government and closely reflects its views on internal issues.
Such a transition by the 61-year-old emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, would be highly unusual among the Gulf Arab autocracies, where most rulers remain until death. Qatar has given no reports on the emir's health, but he is believed to be ailing.
Western-allied Qatar is a leading sponsor of Syrian rebels and is hosting U.S.-led peace efforts with Afghanistan's Taliban.
But no immediate policy changes would be expected under the 33-year-old crown prince, Sheik Tamim.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013