LIBYA - Mar. 2 - Qadhafi Proposes A Head Of State.

Leader Muammar Qadhafi proposes a head of state for Libya a day after sending most of his ministers packing. (Under the Jamahiriya [state of the masses] system devised by Qadhafi in 1977, the North African state has no president or formal head of state. Although he wields real power in the country, the 58-year-old Qadhafi is known simply as the "Guide of the Revolution".)Qadhafi tells a rally in the southern city of Sebha: "I would like that a constitutional reference be established. The [present] General Co-ordinator of the Social Popular Command could be the head of the state in a formal manner". Qadhafi says in a speech marking the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of "Popular Power" in the country: "We need him in case something happens, like a catastrophe, a war, or whatever". The speech is broadcast by state TV and monitored in neighbouring Tunisia. (The General Social Popular Command is an informal body of respected members of the community at national or local levels who acted as advisers to the government. Its coordinator is theoretically chosen under a rotating system every 6 months and although his name is never mentioned by the Libyan media, he ranks highest in protocol. A former monarchy, Libya has no constitution and only Qadhafi's thoughts based on the premise that all power rests with the masses are a point of reference for all aspects of life in the country. Qadhafi, who has rejected the role of head of state for himself in 1977 proclaimed the Jamahiriya, the only political system of its kind in the world.)

Qadhafi's talk about naming a rotating head of state is likely to fuel speculation about the succession. Qadhafi has ruled since 1969 when he and a group of young officers toppled King Idriss. Libyans and diplomats have been speculating for some time that Qadhafi might be preparing his eldest son, Seif Al Islam, to succeed him as "Guide of the Revolution". The rumours grew after reports Qadhafi had charged his son with some diplomatic missions to Arab countries on his behalf. (Seif Al Islam [Sword of Islam], 29, graduated from Tripoli's Al Fateh University where he studied urban engineering. He is head of the National Consultancy in charge of drawing out plans for state projects. He also chairs the National Anti-drug Association of Libya. Under Qadhafi's system, the grassroots Basic People's Congresses and Popular Committees exercise legislative and executive powers. Delegates from the provinces meet each year at the GPC to approve the budget and laws as well as set policy guidelines.) On Mar. 1, the General People's Congress, approved a sweeping overhaul of the government, replacing the PM and FM and scrapping 12 ministries. Qaddafi says the 5 ministries remaining at central level -foreign affairs, African Unity, finance, information, justice and public order - might be abolished at a later date. Qadhafi says: "We have shown the world a model demonstrating that governments are not needed", adding: "You have no more government to complain against. Now, everything is in your hands and in future you can complain only to yourselves".