The
ruler of mega-rich Arab state Qatar has handed power to his son in a
rare bloodless transition of power.
British-educated
crown prince, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will take control of
the hugely wealthy and influential Gulf state which has become one
of Britain's biggest investors.
Foreign
Secretary William Hague has welcomed news of new leader, taking to
Twitter to say: 'Historic day for Qatar as the new generation takes
over.'
The
33-year-old new ruler will take over a country with a sovereign
wealth fund thought to total $100biliion which owns Harrods and
Christie’s, has financed the Shard and has major stakes in a number
of high-profile British institutions.
See
what a 33 year old leader rules over...
More pics after the cut
The
only time the Qataris have excited the curiosity of the British was
when two of their royal family's matching turquoise supercars were
clamped outside Harrods, which they own
Massive
influence: Due west lie Harrods and, close by, No 1 Hyde Park, the
world's most expensive block of flats, also Qatari-owned
If
you walk into any Sainsbury's across the UK, remember that Qatar is a
major investor
Over
at Stratford stand the buildings of the Olympic Village - once the
Games are finished this summer, QIA will take ownership
Power:
A view of the skyline of Doha, Qatar's capital, is a symbol for how
the country has rising to be one of the most influential and wealthy
countries in the Middle East
Rising
from the sands: Huge natural resources has transformed Doha, the
capital of tiny Gulf state Qatar, into a glittering metropolis of
skyscrapers in just a few years
British
icon: Harrods department store, pictured, in London's Knightsbridge
is one of a number of high-profile acquisitions by the $100bn Qatari
sovereign wealth fund
Landmark:
The Qatari sovereign wealth fund helped finance The Shard, a
72-storey skyscraper in London which is Europe's tallest building
It
owns 20 per cent of the London Stock Exchange and when Barclays was
in trouble at the height of the banking turmoil, the Qatar Investment
Authority (QIA) emerged as a white-knight investor, and became the
biggest shareholder
Basically,
he owns
part
of the
UK or at
least
a major part
of their
economy. This
ones don't need visas oh or £3000 bond.
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