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Constitution of Libya 1951, Libya
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Latest Version in WIPO Lex
Year of Version
1956
Dates
Adopted:
October 7, 1951
Type of Text
Constitution/Basic Law
Subject Matter
Other
Notes
On December 24, 1951, the United Kingdom of Libya (the country’s name at that time) declared its independence as a constitutional and hereditary monarchy under King Muhammad Idris. In the same year, the Libyan National Assembly adopted the first Libyan Constitution.
On September 1, 1969, a military coup led by Col. Muammar Kadhafi abolished the monarchy and the Constitution, resulting in the declaration of the Libyan Arab Republic, which name was changed to the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 1977 and then to the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 1986.
On March 2, 1977, the General People's Congress adopted the "Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority".
Article 3 of the Declaration says "The People's direct democracy is the basis of the political system in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, where the authority is in the hands of the People alone. The People exercise their authority through the People's Congresses, the People's Committees, and the Professional Unions".
Available Texts
Main text(s)
Main text(s)
Arabic
الدستور الليبي 1951
PDF
Legislation
Relates to (2 text(s))
Relates to (2 text(s))
WIPO Lex No.
LY006