Qatar emir hands power to son, no word on prime minister | Reuters

Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (C) arrives at Al-Sadd Stadium for 

the final Crown Prince Cup soccer match between Qatari teams Al-Sadd and Lekhwaiya in 

        Doha May 4, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Fadi Al-Assaad

"Qatar's emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani handed power on Tuesday to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim, taking the rare step for a Gulf Arab ruler of voluntarily ceding power to try to ensure a smooth succession.

But the 61-year-old emir made no immediate mention of the public face of Qatar's assertive foreign policy, prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, a veteran politician who had been expected also to step down.

In a seven-minute speech aired on state television, the emir said it was time for a new generation to take over following his 18 years at the helm of the small, rich state."

'via Blog this'