Al Jazeera announces leadership change after eight years

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The director general of Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Wadah Khanfar, has stepped down after eight years. According to a release from the broadcaster Khanfar made his intentions to leave known in July. He reportedly told staff yesterday that he had served "for a substantial period of time" and that he would be leaving "having accomplished the vision he set for Al Jazeera to be a globally recognised media institution". He has been replaced, as of today, by Shaikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, reportedly a member of the Qatari royal family. "Upon my appointment I set a goal to establish Al Jazeera as global media leader. This target has been met and the organisation is in a healthy position," Khanfar said in the release. "This network is great not because of me or any other individual, it is great because of its mission which carries on with all of its outstanding staff. "My successor has the skills and attributes to maintain and build upon the quality journalism that Al Jazeera has become renowned for."