Amir of Qatar issues the first permanent constitution for the state

The Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday issued the first constitution of state after a referandum held to that effect on April 29, 2003. However, this constitution will be only effective after one year, on June 8, 2005.

According to the Amir's decision, the constitutions will be published in the official news paper one year after its issuance during which constitutional establishments will be completed and legal measures to this effect will be taken.

Qatar's permanent constitution for which 96.6% of voters cast their votes, according to official figures - is composed of 5 chapters divided into 150 articles that framework various fields of the rule and life in the country.

This constitution paves the way to establish a parliamentary life in Qatar through electing two thirds of the members of the Shoura council which is composed of 45 members by direct voting while the Amir appoints the remaining one third. However, no fixed date is set for making the elections.

Qatar, nevertheless, is governed by a temporary constitution, its provisional constition was issued in 1970, on year before independence and was amended in 1972.