The Government & Political System

The rule of the State of Qatar is hereditary in the family of Al Thani, who settled in Qatar peninsula early in the 18th century. The ruling family took its name from its ancestor Sheikh Thani bin Mohammed, the father of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani who was the first Sheikh to rule over Qatar during the mid 19th century. The Al Thani family is a branch of the Arabian tribe “Bani Tamin”.
The Emir is the Head of the State, who, according to the Amended Provisional Basic Statute of rule in the country, holds legislative power and issues the laws, proposed by the Council of Ministers, after consulting the Advisory Council.

The Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers, shuffled by an Emiri Decree, is the higher executive authority in the country. The laws, however, shall not be into force before the approval of the Emir.
The Council of Ministers proposes draft laws and decrees to be put before the Emir, who consults the Advisory Council.
The Advisory Council was established in 1972 in accordance with the provisions of the Provisional Amended Basic Statute of the State of Qatar of 1972, which stipulates that no laws can be enacted or issued without being discussed first and recommended upon by the Advisory Council. It held its first meeting on May 15, 1972..
The Advisory Council, which consists of 35 members is considered to be the first pioneering democratic experience to prove successful and well suited to the country's political and social conditions since the country became independent in 1971.
The Council of Ministers assists in implementing the general policies of the State and the Advisory Council gives recommendations and advice on public matters, including political, administrative, economic and legislative issues referred to it by the Council of Ministers. In many cases, the Emir of the State of Qatar adopts the Advisory Council’s recommendations when taking a decision on issues put before the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers

Permanent committees
The Advisory Council consists of the following five permanent committees:

• Legal and Legislative Affairs.
• Financial and Economic Affairs.
• Public Services and Utilities.
• Domestic and Foreign Affairs. 
• Cultural Affairs and Information

The Constitution

The constitution of the State of Qatar has passed through transitional stages starting in 1970, when the first provisional system of governance was enacted.
This system was revised in 1972 after the national independence, and amended to address the requirements and responsibilities of the new stage. Thereafter, the features and objectives of the State's policies and affiliations were defined at the regional, Arabic and Islamic levels. The government and its organs drew much benefit from the actual performance of authority at the domestic and international levels.

The legislative amendments tackled some articles of the basic modified provisional system pertaining to the executive authority and the articles concerning the inheritance of the Emir's post as an integral part of the constitutional situation in the country.
In the same manner, the issuance of the judicial authority law and other basic laws that regulate civil and commercial transactions were complementary steps towards the establishment of the State's organs and laying down the foundations of the State of law and institutional governance.

Foreign Policy

Qatar’s foreign policy is based on the principle of consolidating international security, peace and stability by underlining the importance of the peaceful settlement of disputes between states, supporting the legitimate rights of people to self-determination, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs of countries and coordination with peace loving states and peoples.
This explains the pillars on which Qatar’s foreign policy are based, which, in fact, a policy inspired by the untied nations Chart in maintaining international peace and security.
Qatar’s foreign policy is based on the above principles, therefore, it supports liberation movements that call for self-determination and non-interference in internal affairs of countries.
The State of Qatar coordinates with all peace loving nations through its membership in the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) and supports the efforts made for peaceful settlement of disputes between states.

International Relations

Qatar is very keen to participate actively in the efforts to deal with all the concerns and challenges that the Gulf region encounters. It places increasing emphasis on supporting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and spares no effort to bring about solidarity and strengthen ties of mutual trust and communication between Arab countries, propagates the wisdom of resorting to peaceful means in resolving all disputes among countries, approves the United Nations efforts to uphold peace and security and works to maintain good relations with all peace-loving peoples and countries.
Qatar rejects and denounces all forms and manifestations of terrorism, regardless of its causes, objectives and means. It, however, differentiates between terrorism and the peoples' struggle and legitimate rights of freedom and self- determination in accordance with the provisions of the international law. Qatar, in all regional and international occasions, expresses its grave concern over the escalation of conflicts, ethnic cleansing and denial of the rights of minorities in some countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and other continents. Qatar welcomes all international agreements concluded with a view to resolving such problems and pledges support for the efforts exerted by regional and international organizations to achieve peace and stability in many states and regions of the world.

In the International Arena

Qatar works very hard to establish close ties of cooperation with all peace loving countries and peoples, extends generous financial aid to many developing countries in Asia and Africa and contributes to various regional and international aid funds to create the widest possible avenues of international cooperation.
Qatar has always been a staunch supporter of liberation movements and has constantly denounced all kinds of racial discrimination wherever it exists. In May 1994, Qatar hosted the meetings of the Regional Security and Arms Limitation General Committee. Qatar adopts a set of principles as a basis for peace and security in the Middle East and the world at large. At the top of those principles comes the abstention from using or threatening to use force against territorial integrity of other countries, and seeking to resolve disputes by peaceful means such as regional or international arbitration, and dialogue. In recognition of Qatar's vital role and contribution in the efforts to uphold peace, the special work group of the Regional Security and Arms Limitation Committee for the Middle East decided in December 1994 to establish a regional center for the group in Doha to act as a front line dispute prevention and resolution facility.
And as an expression of appreciation from the international community of the policies adopted by Qatar in the regional and the international spheres, Qatar was elected in March 1995 deputy chairman for the International Social Development Summit Conference, in the context of the UN regional groups representation.