Qatar's emir has received a hero's welcome in the Gaza Strip as he became the first head of state to visit the Palestinian territory since Islamist Hamas militants took control in 2007.
Qatar Emir in Gaza

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Palestinian tailors Eyad Absi, left and Salama Ashour make Qatari flags in a shop for Tuesday's official visit of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Gaza City, October 21, 2012.

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A Palestinian worker walks behind posters of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, left, and Gaza's Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, right, in preparation for the upcoming visit to Gaza at Palestine Monday, Oct. 22, 2012.

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The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani waves to crowds as he sits next to Gaza's Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh following a welcome ceremony in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, October 23, 2012.