Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, 33, is poised to succeed his 61-year-old father, the current emir Khalifa Al Thani.

The UK's Daily Telegraph has reported that key foreign states have been briefed about Qatar's succession plans, which will see power transferred from the hands of the current Qatari emir to his son.

The US and Iran have both known about the oil-rich state's succession plans for at least one year, the Telegraph reported.

The power transition is expected within one month, pending a decision by Qatar's royal court.

The move will also reportedly see Qatar's high-profile prime minister, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem, leave his post.

According to Al-Ahram's Arabic-language news website, Bin Jasem will stay on with the Qatar Investment Authority, while also continuing his involvement with UK retail giant Harrods.

Emir Al Thani has reportedly been suffering health problems recently. He has been in power since 1995 when he took over from his father in a bloodless coup.

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