The Advisory Council on Monday held its regular weekly session under the chairmanship of HE the Speaker Ahmed bin Abdulla bin Zaid al-Mahmoud.
At the outset of the meeting, the Council expressed its categorical rejection and condemnation of the US administration's declaration to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The Council stressed that this US declaration, which is clearly contrary to international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, will not alter the fact that the Syrian Golan is occupied territory.
The Council warned of the serious repercussions that could result from this illegal American step, especially on the stalled peace process and on the security and stability of the region, stressing that a just, comprehensive and lasting peace will be achieved only with the withdrawal of Israel from all the Arab territories occupied in 1967 and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The Council continued its discussion of the report of the Internal and External Affairs Committee on the request by a number of members for a general discussion on road accidents in Qatar.
In its report, the committee recommended working with the authorities concerned to develop a national strategy adopted by the General Directorate of Traffic to raise awareness and abide by the traffic rules and the etiquette of road use, intensify traffic patrols to deter violators, and enforce the maximum penalties for driving the vehicle in a manner that jeopardises people's lives and destructs property, in addition to passing traffic signals.
The committee also recommended tightening the ban on the use of mobile phones while driving, as it is the cause of many accidents, and the need to use the seat belt.
It also suggested that the value of fines for speeding should be based on the speed - the greater the speed the higher the value of the fine. 
The recommendations included the need to enhance electronic surveillance through cameras dedicated to monitoring traffic violations and to provide pedestrian corridors.
The committee appreciated the efforts of the National Tourism Council to develop a five-year plan for the Sealine area, which, after the completion of the plan, will become a tourist attraction that meets the security and safety conditions of the vehicles or their users.
After extensive discussion of the committee's report, the Council agreed to submit its recommendations to the cabinet.
At the end of the meeting, HE al-Mahmoud briefed the Council on his participation along his accompanying delegation in the work of the 12th Periodic Meeting of the heads of the advisory councils, parliament and national councils of the GCC countries in Jeddah last Thursday.
He also briefed the Council on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Advisory Council and the Pan-African Parliamentary Union on co-operation between them.
The MoU was signed by HE al-Mahmoud and the President of the Pan-African Parliamentary Union and the Chairman of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso, Al-Hassan Palla Sakandi.
Both sides agreed under the provisions of the MoU on establishing a work programme for co-operation between the Advisory Council and the African Parliamentary Union to promote friendship, exchange of experiences and take joint initiatives on issues of common interest and to strengthen the presence and role of the two parties in international parliamentary forums.
Meanwhile, the Internal and External Affairs Committee of the Advisory Council held a meeting Monday, chaired by its Rapporteur HE Abdulla bin Fahad bin Ghorab al-Marri.
At the meeting, the committee studied a draft law on fireworks and decided to complete its study at its next meeting. 
The Public Services and Utilities Committee of the Advisory Council also held a meeting of the 47th regular session of the Council under the chairmanship of its Rapporteur Mohammed bin Mahdi al-Ahbabi. 
The committee continued its review on the request for a general discussion on the terrestrial and marine environment and decided to complete its review at its next meeting.

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