The 1972 Qatari coup d'état was a bloodless palace coup that took place in Qatar on 22 February 1972. The coup was carried out by the heir apparent and prime minister Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, who took control of the country while his cousin, Emir Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani, was on a visit to Iran.
While many Western news outlets referred to the event as a coup, the Qatari population merely considered it to be a succession of power.
The Prime Minister of the State of Qatar (Arabic: رئیس الوزراء القطري) is the head of government of Qatar, and technically the second most powerful official in the country after the Emir, who in practice holds all power and authority.
Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar since the coup d'état of 1972, was the first holder of this position from its establishment in 1970. He served as prime minister until the coup of June 1995, when he was deposed by his son Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani GCB GCMG (Arabic: خليفة بن حمد آل ثاني; 17 September 1932 – 23 October 2016) was the Emir of Qatar from 22 February 1972 until he was deposed by his son Hamad bin Khalifa in a coup on 27 June 1995.
He died during the reign of his grandson, the current Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.