Qatar breaks record for world's largest flag

Qatar has created the world's largest flag as part of festivities to mark its national day - the flag was almost 30% bigger than the previous record holder, the BBC reported. 

The maroon and white flag has been draped over an area of 101,978 sq m - the size of 14 football pitches - in an industrial zone north of Doha.

It weighs 9.8 tonnes and was stitched from three plane-loads of material, according to the al-Sharq newspaper.

After Wednesday's national day the flag will be recycled into 200,000 satchels for schoolchildren in 60 countries.

The flag broke the record of 79,000 sq m, set in Romania in May.

"This is a big challenge and one of the most difficult records I have seen," Marco Frigatti of Guinness World Records was quoted as saying.

According to Qatar Tourism, the flag will be on display at Lusail City and the show is extended through Tuesday, Dec. 24,2013: 

Loyalty Flag show is extended till 24th Dec at Lucial behind Golf Club near to Al Shafalah Center #QTR_18_Dec pic.twitter.com/iqCpWl75BE

— Qatar Tourism (@Qtourism) December 20, 2013