GADDAFI'S SON TO REFORM LIBYA

Libya needs reforms to strengthen its grassroots direct democracy, a son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said.

The reforms, he said, include setting up independent bodies such as a central bank, a high court and media,

But reform-minded Saif al Islam, who also detailed a 104 billion dinar ($82.80 billion) social and economic development plan to tackle the North African country’s problems, told a rally of thousands of young supporters, his father’s leadership and Islamic Sharia law were not up for discussion.

Broadcast live

“The next challenge for Libya is to draft a package of laws which you can call a constitution or whatever you like, but they must be endorsed by the people to become a contract between all Libyans,” he said in a speech broadcast live on state television.

Mr Islam said the current political Jamahiriya system, based on Col Gaddafi’s Green Book, which mixes Islamic ideas with some socialist principles, was good on paper but had some flaws in practice.

That system criminalises political dissent and bans the creation of political parties and a freely-elected parliament.

Mr Islam said Libya’s sustained prosperity and stability required the establishment of independent media, an independent central bank and an independent high court.

“Society needs to have independent media to highlight corruption, cheating and falsification,” he said. “Libya must have an independent civic society and independent bodies.”

Political debate

But he named four issues that must be kept out of any political debate and future reforms -- Islamic Sharia, security and stability, Libya’s territorial unity and his father’s leadership.

Mr Islam, who officially holds no government job but is his father’s most trusted envoy, gave precise details of his proposed reforms, which could revive speculation that he might succeed his father one day.

“Libya will not turn into a dynasty or monarchy. We want to strengthen our current system to make it more efficient,” he said.

Some Arab and French media have reported Col Gaddafi had berated Islam over his statements that Libyan police had tortured five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor who had been jailed for more than nine years on charges of deliberately infecting Libyan children with the HIV virus.

His appearance before a youth rally and the broadcasting of his speech by state radio and television suggested that this may not be the case.

Private businesses

Turning to economic reforms, Mr Islam detailed a 104 billion dinar plan to upgrade Libya’s water and sanitation system, roads, airports, build new houses and award Libyans grants and loans to start private businesses.

He said the plan had begun last year but he did not say when it would end.

On measure he cited was a scheme to give every new-born Libyan child a sum of money deposited in a bank to pay for education and health care.

“That amount of money will allow children to live without the help of their parents,” he said.

Islam also said an airport would be built in every Libyan city and the country would buy 47 new planes.


SOURCE: DAILY NATION