Cuba Declares Official Mourning for Qatar's Former Emir

Cuba has declared an official period of national mourning for Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar, who died at the age of 74. The mourning period will last from Monday morning until late Tuesday, with Cuban flags to be flown at half-mast on public buildings and military institutions.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel remembered Al Thani as a "dear friend of the Cuban people" and a key figure in strengthening "historic ties of friendship and solidarity" between the two nations. He specifically noted the former emir's decisive contribution to the development of these relations and recalled his close relationship with the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

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a decisive contribution to the development of the historic ties of friendship and solidarity between his country and the island.

Al Thani governed Qatar for 18 years, from 1995 to 2013, a period marked by significant economic, social, and cultural advancement that enhanced the country's international standing. He voluntarily abdicated in favor of his son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was 33 at the time. Qatar itself is observing four days of general mourning for the loss of the former emir, who will be buried in the Lusail Cemetery north of Doha.

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a dear friend of the Cuban people