QNA/Doha

The Advisory Council held its first regular sitting of its 42nd ordinary session at the White Palace here yesterday under HE Hamid Ali al-Ahbabai, the oldest member of the council.   
Fahd bin Mubarak al-Khayareen, the Secretary General of the Advisory Council, read the decree No 56 of 2013 inviting the Advisory Council to hold its 42nd ordinary session.
Earlier yesterday, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated the 42nd ordinary session of the Advisory Council in the presence of HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at the premises of the Council.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani.
It was also attended by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah and several sheikhs, ministers, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to the State.  
Meanwhile, HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah described the inaugural speech of HH the Emir as a clearcut roadmap featuring Qatar’s policy at the local and international levels.
Speaking to reporters following the opening of the new session of the Advisory Council, HE al-Attiyah said the opening speech of the Emir focussed on developmental and economic issues and ways for implementing projects.
He said the Emir has emphasised the need to shoulder responsibility and boost labour and production, a matter which indicates that the Emir is familiar with existing problems, and is keen to find solutions to them.
Al-Attiyah lauded the efforts made by HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani for realising progress and growth in Qatar since assuming power 1995, when Qatar had been severely suffering economically.
He said HH the Father Emir has handed the power to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at a time when Qatar is flourishing and is at the highest stages of economic or humanitarian development.
Al-Attiyah stressed that the speech of the Emir has outlined a vision and a roadmap on firm policies of the State of Qatar, on which some ‘parties’ had tried to cast doubts.
Al-Attiyah said that the Emir reaffirmed Qatar’s firm stance supporting the Palestinian people and their just and fair cause as well as Qatar’s stance towards the Syrian people and their revolution.
Meanwhile, HE the Speaker of Qatar’s Advisory Council Mohamad bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi yesterday hailed the Emir’s policy which ensures sustained security and safety and the durability and growth of national economy and comprehensive development in all fields.
Addressing the inauguration of the 42nd ordinary session of the Advisory Council yesterday, al-Khulaifi said that the Council will not spare any effort to shoulder its responsibility and assume its assigned role to ensure the progress of the nation.
Al-Khuailfi said that since the Emir received the mandate of the covenant and until he took over the reins of power in the country to build a promising future, he was an active participant in the development of the State, exerting sincere efforts beside HH the Father Emir, to lead Qatar.
In conclusion, the Speaker of the Advisory Council renewed the pledge of allegiance to HH the Emir as the leader of Qatar, saying that the Emir is the best successor for the best predecessor.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) Saud al-Hinzab and CMC Vice-Chairman Engineer Jassim al-Malki have also appreciated the Emir’s speech at the opening of the 42nd regular session of the Shura Council yesterday.
Al-Hinzab said that allocating around 13% of the local income for the education sector is a positive indicator of the country’s concern about education.
Engineer Jassim al-Malki pointed out that Qatar has made great leaps in various fields due to its wise and balanced policies.