Qatar's Father Emir rushed to Switzerland to treat injury

Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani was airlifted to Switzerland after he broke his leg while on holiday, government officials said in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement confirmed that the Father Emir in Qatar, had been flown to Switzerland for emergency treatment following the incident at the weekend.

"On Saturday 26 December, His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani was flown to Zurich, Switzerland for emergency treatment after suffering a broken leg while on holiday," read the government statement.

"Following a successful operation, his Highness the Father Emir is currently in Zurich recovering and undergoing physiotherapy treatment."

The royal family were thought to be holidaying at a Moroccan resort in the Atlas mountains, although it is unclear how the former Emir broke his leg.

It was reported on Monday that as many as nine planes belonging to Qatar's royal family had landed in Switzerland over the weekend because of a suspected health emergency, according to media reports.

Swiss civil aviation authorities confirmed that a number of planes from the Qatari royal fleet had made unscheduled landings at the Zurich-Kloten airport overnight from December 25 to 26.

A Swiss foreign ministry spokesman told AFP on Monday that members of the Qatari royal family were staying in the country, but gave no further details.

Qatar residents were quick to send in their well wishes of a speedy recovery to the Father Emir.

Terrible news! Get well soon Sheikh Hamad, hope that you feel better soon! الله يشفيك يا رب ❤️ pic.twitter.com/C3QFiVNUN0

— Mohammed Al-Jufairi (@Halawala) December 28, 2015

@JoaanBinHamad very best wishes to Sheikh Hamad. I hope he makes a quick and full recovery.

— misterjames (@MisterIanJames) December 28, 2015

The Father Emir, who celebrates his 64th birthday on January 1, ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, overseeing its transformation into one of the richest countries of the world.

He stepped down from power in June 2013 when he announced in a televised address he would hand power to his son and current ruler, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. [AFP]