Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Tuesday to offer his condolences following the death of Qatar's former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from leaders across the region.

President Erdoğan landed at Hamad International Airport aboard the presidential aircraft TUR, where he was received by Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani.

First Lady Emine Erdoğan is accompanying the president during the condolence visit.

During his visit, President Erdoğan is expected to meet with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to personally convey Türkiye's condolences over the death of his father and reaffirm the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.

The visit follows the announcement that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who served as Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013, passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 74. He was laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery in Doha, while Qatar declared a four-day period of national mourning in his honor.

Sheikh Hamad is widely credited with transforming Qatar into a prominent regional and global actor during his 18-year reign. In 2013, he voluntarily transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a historic and peaceful succession.

Türkiye and Qatar have developed one of the closest strategic partnerships in the region, with cooperation spanning defense, trade, energy, investment, and diplomacy. President Erdoğan and Emir Sheikh Tamim have maintained close political coordination on regional and international issues, while the two countries continue to expand bilateral cooperation through the Türkiye-Qatar High Strategic Committee and other joint initiatives.

Erdoğan's visit underscores the close ties between Ankara and Doha and reflects Türkiye's solidarity with the Qatari leadership and people during a period of national mourning. (ILKHA)