Sheikh Hamad was replaced as prime minister and foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle following the accession of 33-year-old Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as emir.
The president blamed unspecified “enemies of Egypt” for sabotaging the democratic system.
In his first speech as head of state Sheikh Tamim said he would follow in the “path” of his father, architect of an assertive foreign policy.
This is the sixth assembly contest in seven years in the Gulf country.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani will step down after Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani handed power to his son.
The current minister of state for interior affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Naser al-Thani, will succeed the Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani.
Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal criticised Iran, Russia and Hezbollah for backing and arming Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Here is the text of outgoing Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s abdication speech in which he handed over power to his son.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has announced the transfer of power to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The emir of Qatar is to hand over power to his son the Crown Prince on Tuesday.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani had long planned to abdicate in favour of 33-year-old Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani will meet ruling family members on Monday amid reports that he intends to hand over power to his crown prince, Sheikh Tamim.
Twelve UAE nationals were arrested after the boats allegedly crossed into Iran’s territorial waters.
Senior Afghan officials had accused Washington on Wednesday of breaking assurances to Kabul.
A team of U.S. negotiators arrived in Qatar earlier on Wednesday and held a meeting with Afghan diplomats in the Qatari capital.
Ties between Egypt and the UAE have been strained since the revolution that toppled veteran Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak.
Ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran are tense over many issues, notably the war in Syria.
The court made its ruling after throwing out an opposition challenge to changes to the electoral system decreed by the emir.
Hassan Rohani, who replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is known for a conciliatory approach and is backed by reformists.
Rohani will take up the presidency in August, replacing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was legally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has whittled away the army’s power and even holds up his executed predecessor as a political model.
Witnesses said police surrounded around 100 protesters at a demonstration in Buraidah on Tuesday and made some arrests.
The two were detained since they reported on the protests that have been taking place in Turkey for almost two weeks.
Demonstrations began two weeks ago and so far three people have been killed and about 5,000 hurt.
Members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah intervened in Syria’s civil war in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
Kuwait has penalised several Twitter users in recent months for slurs against the emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
Both Washington and Amman said on Sunday the Eager Lion exercises were not related to the war in Syria.
Hundreds of police and protesters have been injured since riots began on Friday.
The GCC has called Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria “sectarian intervention”.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird confirmed the news in Ottawa.