**Adopted on March 2nd, 1977**
**Preamble** The Libyan Arab people, gathered in the General Conference of the People's Congresses, People's Committees, and Professional Unions;
Having reviewed the recommendations from the People's Congresses, the Constitutional Declaration of December 11, 1969, and the resolutions and recommendations of the General People's Congress that convened from January 5 to 18, 1975;
Firm in our belief in the establishment of the direct democratic system heralded by the Great September Revolution, which we regard as the essential and definitive solution to the challenge of democracy;
Embodying the pioneering experiment of popular rule initiated by the Great September Revolution, we affirm that the People alone hold authority;
We declare our commitment to freedom and our readiness to defend it across Libyan soil and beyond;
We pledge to protect those persecuted in their pursuit of freedom;
We affirm our adherence to socialism as a means to achieve People's ownership;
We commit to upholding spiritual values to safeguard morality and human behavior;
We support the Revolution's progress towards complete popular authority and the consolidation of a People's Society, wherein the people control leadership, authority, wealth, and arms to realize a Society of Freedom;
We declare our unwavering resolve to obstruct all forms of traditional governmental instruments, whether they arise from individuals, families, tribes, sects, classes, representatives, parties, or groups of parties;
We express our readiness to decisively counter any undemocratic attempts;
The Libyan Arab People, having reclaimed total control over their affairs through the Revolution and asserting their potential to shape their present and future with the guidance of Allah and the principles of His Holy Book as the enduring source of direction and societal ordinance;
Hereby issue this declaration to proclaim the establishment of People's authority and to announce to the peoples of the world the dawn of the era of the masses.
**Article 1 [Name]**
The official name of Libya shall be 'The Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya'.
**Article 2 [Religion]**
The Holy Koran serves as the Constitution of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
**Article 3 [Congresses, Committees, Unions]**(1) The foundation of the political system in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is the People's direct democracy, wherein authority rests exclusively with the People. The People exercise this authority through the People's Congresses, People's Committees, and Professional Unions. The regulations governing the congresses, committees, and unions, as well as the timing of their meetings, shall be established by law.
(2) The authority of the People is composed of:
1. People's Congresses;
2. People's Committees;
3. Professional Unions; and
4. General People's Congress.
(3) **People's Congresses:** 1. The Libyan People shall be organized into basic People's Congresses.
2. All citizens must register as members of the Basic People's Congress in their local area.
3. Each basic People's Congress shall elect a committee from among its members to lead the Congress.
(4) The masses within the People's Congresses will elect People's Committees to oversee all services. These Committees shall be accountable to the People's Congresses.
(5) Members of each profession shall establish their own unions to defend their professional rights.
(6) The General People's Congress acts as the national assembly for the People's Committees and Professional Unions. It will have a General Secretariat responsible for executing the overarching policies outlined by the People's Congresses. The General Secretariat shall organize the sessions of the General People's Congress, prepare its agenda, and implement its resolutions and recommendations. The General Secretariat consists of a Secretary General and several secretaries, each responsible for a specific sector of state activities.
**Article 4 [Chairman]**
The General People's Congress shall elect a chairman to preside over its sessions, sign laws on behalf of the Congress, and accept the credentials of representatives from foreign nations.
**Article 5 [Absence]**
In the event that the Chairman of the General People's Congress is absent or otherwise unable to perform their duties, the Secretary General shall temporarily assume their responsibilities.
**Article 6 [Election]**(1) The General People's Congress shall elect the Secretary General and Secretaries, have the authority to dismiss them, and to accept their resignations.
(2) The Secretary General and the Secretaries are collectively accountable to the General People's Congress, with each Secretary responsible for the sector they oversee.
**Article 7 [Budget]**
The General Budget of the State shall be enacted by law, and the General People's Congress shall approve the State's financial balance sheet.
**Article 8 [Departments, Employees]**
A law shall govern the creation of public departments and the appointments and dismissals of government employees.
**Article 9 [Defence]**
The defense of the Country is a duty of every citizen. Through universal military training, the People shall be prepared and equipped. A law shall regulate the preparation of military personnel and the general military training.
**Article 10 [Terms]**
The terms 'Council of Ministers', 'Prime Minister', and 'Minister' shall be replaced, wherever they appear, by 'General Secretariat of the General People's Congress', 'Secretary General', and 'The Secretary'.
