The Emir is the head of state. His person shall be inviolable and he shall be respected by all.

The rule of the State is hereditary in the family of Al-Thani.

The Crown Prince shall be appointed within one year at maximum from the date of issuance of this Provisional Constitution by virtue of an Emiri order, after consultation with the people of wisdom (Ahl Al-Hal wal ‘Aqd) of the State and approval of the majority on this appointment. The provisions regarding the hereditary rule of the State shall be regulated by a law issued within a period not more than one year from the date of issuance of this Provisional Constitution and such law may not be amended save as the manner prescribed in it.

The Emir may, by a decision thereof, delegate certain functions to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince shall act on behalf of the Emir in conducting of his functions and exercise of his powers during his absence outside the State.
Subject to the fourth Item of Article 23 hereof, the Crown Prince shall preside over the sessions of the Council of Ministers whenever he is in attendance.

The Emir shall discharge the following functions:

1. Representing the State internally and toward other countries, and in all international relations.
2. Setting the general policy of the State, with the assistance of the Council of Ministers, in all political, economic, social, cultural, and administrative areas to ensure the largest advancement in these areas in accordance with the basic guiding principles of the policy of the State set forth in this Provisional Constitution, and he shall have the supreme supervision on the implementation of this policy.
3. Ratifying and promulgating laws and decrees. He shall have the supreme supervision on their implementation to ensure the rule of the law.

Such legislations shall not be effective unless published in the Official Gazette, which shall be published in the Gazette, after approval and issuance within two weeks at maximum from the date of date of issuance and shall come into force a month after the date of publication, unless another date is specified in the legislation itself.

4. Summoning the Council of Ministers to convene at any time deemed necessary in the public interest; the Emir shall preside over the meetings of the Council of Ministers, which he attends. The Emir may request reports from the Council of Ministers or Ministers on any affair that falls within their jurisdiction.
5. Holding and supervising the high commander of the armed forces.
6. Appointing and terminating civil servants and military personnel, in accordance with the Law.
7. Accrediting heads of the foreign diplomatic and consular missions.
8. Granting pardons or commuting penalties.
9. Conferring orders of honour in accordance with the Law.
10. Any other functions vested in him by this Provisional Constitution or the Law.

 

The Emir shall conclude treaties by decree and refer them to the Shura Council, accompanied by appropriate explanatory memos. The treaty shall have the power of law after ratification and publication in the Official Gazette. All treaty terms shall be expressed on their face and no terms shall be implied.

The Emir shall declare defensive war by a decree, however aggressive war is prohibited.

A. The Emir shall be assisted in carrying out the tasks mentioned in the fourth paragraph of Article 23 by a council for defencefollowed him directly.

B. The Defence Council shall be formed by a decree.

C. The Defence Council shall be specialised in giving its opinion and advice to the Emir on all matters pertaining to defence, maintenance of peace and security of the State; forming , equipping and developing the armed forces and determining the sites of their posts and camps .

In cases of extreme urgency, or force majeure that require measures of utmost urgency by issuing special laws, and in such cases when the Shura Council is not in session, the Emir may issue pertinent decrees that have the power of law, provided that such decrees are not contrary to the basic guiding  principles of the policy of the State. Such decree shall be presented to the Shura Council to take its advice thereon at its first meeting.