Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on 5 August announced the appointment of his fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, as the new Crown Prince. The 24-year-old Sheikh Tamim replaces his older brother, Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad al-Thani, who is understood to be suffering ill health. Crown Prince Jassem was appointed in 1996 after Qatar’s bloodless coup in 1995. Sheikh Tamimi previously headed Qatar’s Olympic Committee.