Sheikh Khalifa | Former Qatar ruler, 84

Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, 84, the former ruler of the tiny Persian Gulf nation of Qatar who was deposed by his son in a bloodless palace coup, died on Sunday.

The emiri diwan, or royal court, announced the death of the former emir. State TV quickly cut from its regular programming, airing Quranic recitations late into the night.

The current ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the deceased ruler's grandson, declared three days of mourning in the energy-rich nation. - AP