Draft Transitional Libyan Constitution Makes Islam the State Religion. But Protects Non-Muslims

The National Journal reported yesterday that even though Libya's Transitional National Council is not fully in control of the country, a draft constitution has appeared online. The Draft Constitutional Charter for the Transitional Stage includes this provision regarding religious rights:

Article (1) ...Islam is the Religion of the State and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence (Sharia).... The State shall guarantee for non-Moslems the freedom of practising religious rights and shall guarantee respect for their systems of personal status.

The document provides that one month after the country is liberated and the Transitional National Council moves to Tripoli, the Council is to appoint a Constitutional Authority which in turn is to draft a final constitution to be presented to the people for approval in a plebiscite.