Libya
Libya joined the League of Arab States in 1953.
Nature and Structure of Government:
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Capital: Tripoli Administration divisions
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Type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses); in theory, governed by the
populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship
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Long Form of Name: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
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Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy)
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Administrative Regions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular -
baladiyat; Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah,
Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi,
Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus,
Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan
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Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977
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National Holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
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Legal System: Based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate
religious courts; no
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constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Executive Branch: Revolutionary leader, chairman of the General People's
Committee (premier), General People's Committee (cabinet)
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Legislative Branch: Unicameral General People's Congress
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Judicial Branch: Supreme Court
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Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at age 18
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Leaders: Chief of State: Revolutionary Leader Col. Mu`ammar Abu Minyar
al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); Head of Government: Chairman of the
General People's Committee (Premier) Abu Zayd `umar DURDA (since 7 October
1990)
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Political Parties: None
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Elections: National elections are indirect through a hierarchy of
peoples' committees
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Defense Expenditures: 11.1% of GDP (1987)
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Military Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (including
Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command), National Police
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Manpower Availability: Males 15-49, 1,056,686; 624,027 fit for military
service; 50,916 reach military age (17) annually; conscription now being
implemented
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Last revised 19 May 1997
http://haynese.winthrop.edu/mlas/libya.html
Maintained by Ed Haynes