Jamahiriya sector Politics of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi

plaque denoting peoples bureau (embassy) of socialist people s libyan arab great jamahiriya in prague

the term jamahiriya (arabic: جماهيرية‎ jamāhīriyyah) translated state of masses . intended describe state following political philosophy expounded gaddafi in green book. term not occur in sense in gaddafi s green book itself, although text dwell on concept of masses (arabic: جماهير‎).

the concept presented materialization of third international theory, proposed gaddafi applied entire third world. term in practice has been applied libyan state, of gaddafi caid (translated leader; strict transliteration qāʾid). although gaddafi no longer held public office or title after 1980, accorded honorifics guide of first of september great revolution of socialist people s libyan arab jamahiriya or brotherly leader , guide of revolution in government statements , official press.

the government of great socialist people s libyan arab jamahiriya officially stated libya direct democracy without political parties, governed populace through local popular councils , communes (named basic people s congresses).

making legislative branch of government, sector comprised local people s congresses in each of 1,500 urban wards, 32 sha’biyat people’s congresses regions, , national general people s congress. these legislative bodies represented corresponding executive bodies (local people s committees, sha biyat people s committees , national general people’s committee/cabinet).

every 4 years membership of local people s congresses elected acclamation both own leadership , secretaries people’s committees, after many debates , critical vote. leadership of local people’s congress represented local congress @ people’s congress of next level , has imperative mandate. members of national general people s congress elected members of national general people’s committee (the cabinet) acclamation @ annual meeting.

while there discussion regarding run executive offices, approved revolutionary leadership elected. government administration effective long operated within directives of revolutionary leadership. revolutionary leadership had absolute veto power despite constitutionally established people s democracy , alleged rule of people. government controlled both state-run , semi-autonomous media, , articles critical of current policies requested , intentionally placed revolutionary leadership itself, example, means of initiating reforms. in cases involving violation of these taboos , private press, tripoli post, censored.

there no separate defense ministry in gaddafi s libya; defence activities centralised under presidency. arms production limited, due extensive imports soviet union, , manufacturers state-owned.

legislative branch

the general people s congress (mu tammar al-sha ab al âmm) consisted of 2,700 indirectly elected representatives of basis people s congresses. gpc legislative forum interacted general people s committee, members secretaries of libyan ministries. served intermediary between masses , leadership , composed of secretariats of 600 local basic popular congresses.

the gpc secretariat , cabinet secretaries appointed gpc secretary general , confirmed annual gpc congress. these cabinet secretaries responsible routine operation of ministries.

judicial system

the libyan court system consisted of 4 levels: summary courts, try petty offenses, courts of first instance, tried more serious crimes; courts of appeals, , supreme court, final appellate level. gpc appointed justices supreme court. special revolutionary courts , military courts operated outside court system try political offenses , crimes against state. libya s justice system nominally based on sunni law.