Remember the crown prince of Qatar on 60 Minutes? No more crown prince

Qatar's crown prince gives up post to younger brother; no reason given

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Qatar's crown prince gave up his office Tuesday in favour of his younger brother, a court statement said. Crown Prince Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, 25, will be replaced by Prince Tamim, 24, the statement said. No reason was given for the surprise move.

Prince Jassim, the third son of the emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was appointed crown prince in 1996, a year after Sheik Hamad ousted his father in a bloodless coup.

Prince Jassim was head of the Environment and Protectorates Authority but held no ministerial positions. He appeared with his father on several occasions and official visits and has held official meetings with several senior U.S. administration officials, including defence secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and William S. Cohen.

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