Qatar emir expected to hand over reins to fourth son

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, is believed to be preparing to hand control of the gas-rich Gulf state to a son.

A cabinet reshuffle is also expected in which powerful Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim al-Thani, a cousin of the emir, may lose his post, or at least the foreign affairs portfolio.

A Qatari official said the emir, 61, "is convinced that he should encourage the new generation" of politicians and rulers. "He hopes to transfer power to the crown prince, Sheikh Tamim (bin Hamad al-Thani), and carry out a ministerial reshuffle" and appoint younger ministers, the minister said.

Sheikh Tamim, born in 1980, is the emir's fourth son and second son of his second wife, Sheikha Mozah.

The crown prince is joint commander of the armed forces and head of the country's Olympic committee.

A French diplomatic source said the emir could "take a step back, not completely retire but take on a more honorary position, in such a way that his son could take on more responsibilities and become the man in charge. This change could come quite quickly, after [French] President Francois Hollande's visit" on June 22.