Though Qatar’s Emir got almost as many votes as US President Barack Obama in the readers’ choice poll, it was the country’s prime minister who made Time’s shortlist for the 100 most influential people of 2012.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al Thani, 52, is joined on the list by NBA basketball star Jeremy Lin, investor Warren Buffet and Anonymous, who won reader’s choice by a landslide.

Time report Al Thani’s accolades, which are written by Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

A wise personality, a model leader and a man of broad vision, (al Thani) has played an important role in the development of his country and the rise in his people’s level of affluence.

As Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, he has contributed significantly to the increase in Qatar’s influence in the international arena. His contributions toward the resolution of problems in the region, in particular in advancing reconciliation among Palestinian groups and his diplomatic efforts during the Arab Spring, are worthy of commendation…

I am also pleased by the momentum gained in Turkish-Qatari relations and by the fact that my close friend and I share the same vision when it comes to international affairs.

Congrats!

Thoughts?