immediately upon its declaration, for a decision on the conduct of the war. b. A state of national safety or martial law shall be proclaimed only by Decree. In all cases, martial law cannot be proclaimed for a period exceeding three months. This period may not be renewed except with the consent of the majority of the members of the National Assembly present. Article 37 The King shall conclude treaties by Decree, and shall communicate them to the Consultative Council and the Council of Deputies forthwith accompanied by the appropriate statement. A treaty shall have the force of law once it has been concluded and ratified and published in the Official Gazette. However, peace treaties and treaties of alliance, treaties relating to State territory, natural resources, rights of sovereignty, the public and private rights of citizens, treaties pertaining to commerce, shipping and residence, and treaties which involve the State Exchequer in non-budget expenditure or which entail amendment of the laws of Bahrain, must be promulgated by law to be valid. Under no circumstances may a treaty include secret clauses which conflict with those openly declared. Article 38 If between the convening of both the Consultative Council and the Council of Deputies sessions, or during the period in which the National Assembly is in recess, should any event occur that requires expediting the adoption of measures that brook no delay, the King may issue relevant Decrees that have the force of law, provided they do not contravene the Constitution. Such Decrees must be referred to both the Consultative Council and the Council of Deputies within one month from their promulgation if the two Councils are in session, or within a month of the first meeting of each of the two new Councils in the event of dissolution or if the legislative term had ended. If the Decrees are not so referred, their legal force shall abate retrospectively without a need to issue a relevant ruling. If they are referred to the two 19