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- Government
-
- Long-form name: State of Qatar.
-
- Type: traditional monarchy.
-
- Capital: Doha.
-
- Administrative divisions: none.
-
- Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK).
-
- Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970.
-
- Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by
- the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic
- law is significant in personal matters.
-
- National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971).
-
- Executive branch: amir, Council of Ministers (cabinet).
-
- Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura).
-
- Judicial branch: Court of Appeal.
-
- Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--Amir and
- Prime Minister Khalifa bin Hamad Al THANI (since 22 February
- 1972); Heir Apparent Hamad bin Khalifa AL THANI (appointed
- 31 May 1977; son of Amir).
-
- Political parties and leaders: none.
-
- Suffrage: none.
-
- Elections: Advisory Council--constitution calls for elections
- for part of this consultative body, but no elections have
- been held; seats--(30 total).
-
- Member of: Arab League, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), GCC,
- IBRD, ICAO, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, ILO, IMF,
- IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN,
- UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO.
-
- Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hamad Abd al-Aziz
- AL-KAWARI, Chancery at Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW,
- Washington DC 20037; telephone (202) 338-0111; US--Ambassador
- Mark G. HAMBLEY; Embassy at Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the
- television station), Doha (mailing address is P.O. Box
- 2399, Doha); telephone [974] 864701 through 864703.
-
- Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white
- points) on the hoist side.
-