Advisory Council approves draft law on national service

The AdvisoryCouncil yesterday held its weekly session under the chairmanship of HEthe Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud.Duringthe session, the Council discussed the report of the joint committeeformed by the legal and legislative affairs committee and internal andexternal affairs committee to study a draft law on national service.The Speaker initiated the discussions, stressing the national, educational and security importance of the draft law. Thedraft law was also the subject of extensive study and deliberation bythe joint committee formed by the legal and legislative affairscommittee and internal and external affairs committee. HE the DeputyPrime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid binMohamed al-Attiyah attended the meeting and answered questions raised bymembers and explained all aspects of the draft law.The Speaker saidthe draft law on national service has gained additional importanceunder the current circumstances in the country, which requiresmobilising the energies of all citizens, especially young people on whomthe country depends for its present and future.In the presenceof a number of members of the Advisory Council and after extensivediscussions characterised by objectivity, keenness on the nationalinterest, full awareness of the necessity and importance of the draftlaw and its positive results, the Council approved the draft law anddecided to refer it along with amendments and recommendations to the Cabinet.TheCouncil also reviewed a report on its participation in the NorthAfrican and Middle East (Mena) regional conference on human rights andbusiness held recently in Rabat, Morocco. The Council’sdelegation briefed the conference on the experience of Qatar with regardto the rights of expatriate workers working in the country, enjoyingtheir rights and a secure, stable and decent life. (QNA)