Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani is recovering very well following a surgical intervention on his left hip, a statement from Schulthess Clinic Zurich in Switzerland said.

Sheikh Hamad,  known formally as the "Father Emir" in Qatar, had the surgery on December 26 and is currently a patient at the hospital, the statement, carried by PRNewswire, said.

The surgery was performed by the head of the respective department, Dr. Michael Leunig. "There have been no complications during or after the operation. The results so far are highly satisfying," it said.

Sheikh Hamad is now in the stage of recovery and he is recovering very well, it added.

Earlier, a Qatar government statement was quoted as saying Sheikh Hamad was flown to Zurich for emergency treatment after suffering a broken leg while on holiday.

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

Sheikh Hamad was thought to be holidaying at a Moroccan resort in the Atlas mountains when the incident happened.