DOHA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Father Amir and former amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died on Sunday at the age of 74, the Amiri Diwan announced.

"The Amiri Diwan mourns the passing of the nation's esteemed leader, the late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," the administrative office of the Qatari amir said in a statement.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013, when he transferred power to his son, the current Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.