Background
Abdullah First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani is the eldest son of the former and 8th Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani, and his third wife, Sheikha Rudha bint Jassim bin Jabr First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani.
Abdullah First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani is the eldest son of the former and 8th Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani, and his third wife, Sheikha Rudha bint Jassim bin Jabr First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani.
He served as an advisor to the Emir and often represented him at ceremonial events and receptions. He is the 3rd son of his father. Sheikh Abdullah is the younger half-brother of Hamad bin Khalifa First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani, the former Emir of Qatar.
Sheikh Abdullah received his school education in Qatar, earned his secondary school certificate in 1975, and graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December 1976.
After graduation Sheikh Abdullah joined the armed forces of Qatar and held many senior military posts up to 1989 when he was appointed assistant commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1979 Abdullah was appointed chairman of Qatar Olympic committee, and held this post until 1989.
On 17 July 1989, he was named minister of the interior. In addition to this post on 11 July 1995 he became deputy prime minister.
On 29 October 1996, he was appointed prime minister and continued to assume his interior portfolio until 2 January 2001.
On 3 April 2007, he resigned and was replaced by then foreign minister Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr First Rate (at Lloyd's) Thani as prime minister.