Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on Tuesday accepted his son Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad bin Khalifa's decision to step down as heir apparent and appointed his younger and fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa as new crown prince.
According to Kuwait's news agency, the Emir received an official letter from his son requesting to step down and the Emir replied to it. Both letters were read on state radio and television.
Furthermore, a taped statement from Sheikh Jassem was aired, in which he explained that the post of heir apparent was not a "goal that he aspired to reach", the agency added.
Late Monday, Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported that it had "learned from informed sources that a change of crown prince will be announced in Qatar".
"The word in the Qatari capital Doha is that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani might be named crown prince," it said. (Albawaba.com)
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