minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the armed
forces
head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani,
brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime
Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch
(since 20 January 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis
al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed by the monarch)
note: the constitution calls for elections for part of this
consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when
there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had
their terms extended every four years since

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,
IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW,
OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Saad Muhammad al-KUBAYSI
chancery: Suite 200, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
consulate(s) general: Houston

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth MCKUNE
embassy: 149 Ahmed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the
television station), Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
note: work week is Saturday-Wednesday

Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine
white points) on the hoist side

Economy

Economy--overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts
for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 70% of export earnings, and 66% of
government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels
should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil
has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West
European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural
gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total,
third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are
becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the
development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the
economy. Lower world oil prices brought GDP do