University of Phoenix
The fastest growing school in the world. Highly career-focused education, designed to accelerate the careers of working professionals. Both campus-based and online. Wide range of degrees, programs, locations.
Libya Government
Libya Government: A summary of information about Libya Government, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Libya: Government
Country name
conventional long form: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah local short form: none
Data code
LY
Government type
Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship
Capital
Tripoli
Administrative divisions
25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); 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Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan note: the 25 municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions
Independence
24 December 1951 (from Italy)
National holiday
Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
Constitution
11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977
Legal system
based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch
chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title, but is de facto chief of state head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee (Premier) Mubarak al-SHAMEKH (since 2 March 2000) cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General People's Congress elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees; head of government elected by the General People's Congress; election last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: Mubarak al-SHAMEKH elected head of government; percent of General People's Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch
unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Libya does not have an embassy in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli on 2 May 1980
Flag description
plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
