Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani

Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani
Born	1959 Doha, Qatar
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1982–2013
Known for	Prime Minister of Qatar (2007–2013), Foreign Minister of Qatar (1992–2013)

Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Mohammed bin Thani Al Thani (Arabic: ; born in 1959), commonly referred to as HBJ, is a distinguished political figure from Qatar. He held the position of Prime Minister from 3 April 2007 until 26 June 2013 and was Qatar’s Foreign Minister from 11 January 1992 through 26 June 2013.

Early life

Born in Doha, Qatar in 1959, Hamad is the fifth son of Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani and a grandson of Jaber bin Mohammed Al Thani, who was the younger sibling of Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, recognized as the founding father of contemporary Qatar.

Career

From 1982 to 1989, Hamad managed the office of the minister responsible for municipal affairs and agriculture. In July 1989, he was appointed minister of municipal affairs and agriculture. The following year, in May 1990, he took on the additional role of deputy minister of electricity and water, while continuing his ministerial duties, steering significant projects and advancing the agricultural sector.

On 1 September 1992, Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani appointed him as foreign minister, a role he retained after Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power through a coup in 1995—a coup in which Hamad played a pivotal part. On 16 September 2003, he was named first deputy prime minister while still serving as foreign minister. Subsequently, on 2 April 2007, he succeeded Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani as prime minister, maintaining his foreign minister responsibilities. Throughout his leadership, Hamad advanced an assertive foreign policy agenda.

Hamad cultivated strong connections with the United States government, including membership on the International Advisory Council of the Brookings Institution and chairmanship of its Doha Center. His business interests encompass significant shares in entities such as Qatar Airways, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, The Pearl Island, and luxury retailer Harrods. Additionally, he is a partner in Project Grande (Guernsey), which developed London's prestigious One Hyde Park.

He also occupied influential roles including membership in the supreme defense council (established in 1996), leadership of Qatar’s permanent committee for al Quds support (from 1998), participation in the permanent constitution committee (since 1999), involvement with the ruling family council (from 2000), and membership in the supreme council for state reserve investments (also from 2000).

A diplomatic cable from May 2008 disclosed friction between Hamad and Qatari intelligence concerning a high-ranking bank official detained for financing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the architect behind the September 11 attacks.

Under Hamad’s stewardship, France emerged as a strategic ally to Qatar, fostering partnerships with companies such as Total, EADS, Technip, Air Liquide, Vinci SA, GDF Suez, and Areva. During this era, France was Qatar’s main supplier of military equipment. In February 2009, France accorded Qatar special investment privileges, including exemptions from capital gains tax.

A leaked US embassy communication alleged that Hamad proposed to then-senator John Kerry suspending al-Jazeera broadcasts in Egypt for one year in return for Egypt’s support on Israel-Palestinian peace talks.

Following Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s abdication on 25 June 2013, Hamad resigned as prime minister the next day. His exit prompted speculation about shifts in power dynamics under the new emir. He was succeeded by Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani as prime minister and by Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah as foreign minister. On 3 July, he was removed from his role as deputy head of the Qatar Investment Authority.

During his administration, Qatar initiated arms supplies to Syrian opposition forces, attracting criticism over concerns regarding their potential misuse.

In June 2021, London’s High Court of Justice alleged that Hamad’s private office facilitated covert financial transfers to an Al-Qaeda affiliate operating in Syria, specifically the Al-Nusra Front.

In March 2022, Hamad declared on Qatari television that military commands based in Jordan and Turkey expended $2 trillion attempting to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Mediation initiatives

Over the last two decades, Hamad has played a significant role in resolving political disputes across Africa and the Middle East.

He was instrumental in drafting Yemen's unity constitution in 1990, which introduced free elections, a multiparty political framework, protections for private property, and human rights safeguards. This led to parliamentary elections held in 1993.

In 1996, Hamad contributed to ending the short-lived conflict over the Hanish Islands between Eritrea and Yemen by arranging for the dispute to be referred to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The ruling awarded the larger islands to Yemen and the smaller ones to Eritrea, paving the way for normalized diplomatic relations.

He also played a crucial role in the 1998 peace agreement between Sudan and Eritrea, settling border disagreements that had previously impeded Eritrea’s foreign relations.

In 2007, Hamad coordinated Lebanon’s national dialogue and peace accord aimed at halting internal conflicts. He hosted negotiations in Qatar involving Lebanese government representatives and opposition factions led by Hezbollah, culminating in an Arab League-backed agreement to prevent violence and reform electoral laws to enhance sectarian representation.

That same year, he brokered a ceasefire between Yemen’s government and the Houthi Movement, which was reactivated in 2010 to conclude six years of hostilities.

In 2009, Hamad facilitated the "Goodwill and Confidence Building Pact" between Sudan’s government and the Justice and Equality Movement to address the Darfur crisis. He also helped negotiate a peace settlement between Sudan and Chad that ended their civil war-related hostilities.

In 2010, he spearheaded mediation resolving the border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea, setting the stage for wider peace talks aimed at settling regional conflicts. The agreement emphasized peaceful conflict resolution in Darfur, prisoner exchanges, and guarantees for humanitarian aid delivery.

Hamad has further supported ongoing efforts toward Palestinian reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas to promote progress toward peace with Israel.

He has been involved in facilitating prisoner releases including Lebanese detainees held in Eritrea, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Bulgarian nurses imprisoned in Libya. Qatar was opened under his influence as a sanctuary for political exiles from Muslim and Arab nations. During the Bosnian conflict of the 1990s, he secured vital food and medical supplies for civilians.

In November 2010, Hamad launched the Humanitarian Appeal 2011 in Doha alongside UN OCHA and UNHCR to improve conditions for millions affected by global emergencies. This initiative included participation from EU member states, the European Commission, countries receiving aid, UN bodies, and non-governmental organizations.

BAE Systems

After Michael Portillo’s involvement, Qatar finalized a £500 million arms contract with BAE Systems. Subsequently, £7 million was deposited into two Jersey trusts naming Hamad as beneficiary. To combat potential money laundering concerns, the Jersey Financial Services Commission froze these funds on 16 July 2000 and initiated an inquiry. Hamad made a £6 million payment described as a "voluntary reparation," acknowledging complexities related to advisory arrangements. The investigation was later closed.

Heritage Oil

In June 2014, Hamad purchased an 80% shareholding in Heritage Oil, a company listed on the London stock exchange specializing in exploration and production. At that time, he held the position of "Counsellor" at Qatar's embassy, granting him diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention of 1961—which prohibits diplomats from engaging in private business activities within their host country. The £924 million stake was transferred to a fully owned subsidiary of Al-Mirqab Capital, Hamad’s family investment vehicle. His legal representatives contended that simply being listed on London’s exchange did not violate diplomatic regulations.

Paradise Papers

In November 2017, Hamad's name appeared among various politicians featured in the Paradise Papers exposé conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Positions and opinions

During a 2015 address at Chatham House, Hamad warned Israel about its strategic stance, advocating for recognition of the 1967 boundaries and endorsing a two-state framework as essential steps to curb terrorism and maintain peace within the region.

El Corte Inglés

Hamad acquired a 10% share in Spain’s leading department store chain, El Corte Inglés, in 2010 through a local agent, David Barreiro Nogaledo, who was subsequently investigated for possible money laundering and embezzlement. In 2019, this same intermediary sought to involve Hamad in an investment with Laboratorios Larrasa, a Spanish firm later implicated in fraud allegations in both Spain and Brazil.

Psychic theft

In 2022, Hamad became the target of a $90 million jewellery heist executed by exploiting his personal assistant, known as "Magdalena." A man impersonating a psychic persuaded her to send 17 uninsured jewellery items for supposed “spiritual cleansing.” The FBI apprehended the culprit, John Lee, in November 2022 and managed to recover a significant portion of the stolen valuables, including a rare pink diamond that had been withdrawn from a Christie's auction in New York.

Business and wealth

Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani ranks among the globe’s wealthiest figures, having overseen Qatar’s $230 billion sovereign wealth fund until 2013. British press labeled him "the man who bought London" due to his extensive investments such as the Shard, Harrods, and InterContinental London Park Lane. Through Precision Capital, he secured ownership of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg and KBL European Private Bankers, forming one of Luxembourg’s largest banking conglomerates.

He also holds a 3.05% share in Deutsche Bank through Paramount Services Holdings Limited; an equivalent stake is owned by his relative, former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Part of this latter stake was sold by Hamad bin Jassim.

In May 2015, Hamad set an auction record by purchasing Picasso’s Les Femmes d'Alger (Version O) for $179.4 million. Among his possessions is the $300 million super-yacht Al Mirqab.

The Sunday Times Rich List valued his net worth at approximately £2 billion in 2021.

In 2025, Hamad became embroiled in a prominent legal dispute with Irish property tycoon Paddy McKillen over a $20 million conflict involving a luxury hotel.

Use of Private Aircraft by US President

Reports surfaced in May 2025 that US President Donald Trump was contemplating purchasing a Boeing 747-8 aircraft bearing tail number P4-HBJ, which is owned by Hamad. Initially delivered to Qatar Amiri Flight in 2012, the plane was later transferred to Global Jet Isle of Man and used privately by Hamad following his exit from political office. Early media assertions that the aircraft was a "gift from Qatar" were later corrected to clarify it is part of Hamad’s personal holdings. The proposed acquisition drew criticism due to Hamad’s previous backing of Hamas and allegations concerning his post-governmental use of wealth and influence.

Donations

In June 2022, The Times revealed that between 2011 and 2015, Prince Charles received €3 million in cash from Hamad. The money was delivered in €500 denominations on three separate occasions, transported in a suitcase, a holdall, and Fortnum & Mason shopping bags. These encounters were not recorded in the Court Circular. The cash was collected by Coutts bank and subsequently deposited into accounts belonging to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund. A spokesperson from Clarence House stated that appropriate governance procedures were observed, with trustees evaluating donor relationships and auditors approving the contributions after thorough investigations. There was no indication of any unlawful activity or misuse of funds. The Charity Commission for England and Wales announced it would conduct a review to assess whether it had any regulatory responsibilities concerning this issue.

Honours

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (16 November 2010, Italy).
• Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters awarded by the Lebanese American University (28 April 2010, Lebanon).

Personal life

Hamad entered into marriage with Sheikha Jawaher bint Fahad Al Thani in 1982. Later, in 1996, he took Sheikha Noor bint Abdulaziz Al Subaie—daughter of a former education minister—as his second wife.

He is the father of five children: four sons—Sheikh Jaber, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Fahad, Sheikh Tamim—and one daughter, Sheikha Maryam.