DOHA: Qatar began three days of mourning on Monday after the death of former Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani, who oversaw the start of the country's transformation into an energy powerhouse.
Prayers were to take place at the national mosque with huge crowds expected, after which the former ruler will be buried. Flags on official buildings flew at half-mast.
Many Qataris took to social media to express their condolences.
A state visit by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was due to go ahead on Monday, but a high-profile conference, involving senior FIFA and Qatar World Cup 2022 officials, scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled as a mark of respect.
However, schools remained open and roads were busy.
The 84-year-old former ruler -- grandfather of the current Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani -- died on Sunday, Qatar News Agency said, without giving the cause.
Sheikh Tamim ordered three days of official mourning.
Prior to becoming ruler, Khalifa served as Qatar's prime minister and was then a pivotal figure as the tiny emirate established itself as a major global energy producer and subsequently one of the richest countries in the world.
He took power from a cousin in February 1972, just months after Qatar gained independence from Britain.
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