Government

Under the constitution of 1990, the country is a republic. The executive branch is headed by the five-member Presidential Council, whose chairman serves as the country's president (head of state). The President, who is chosen by the people, serves a seven-year term and can be re-elected for a second term. A Vice-President, cabinet members, and a Prime Minister are appointed by the President. The country's popularly elected legislature, the House of Representatives, selects the Presidential Council, which in turn selects the prime minister (head of government). Members of the Presidential Council serve five-year terms and members of the House of Representatives, six -year terms. The 301 members of the House of Representatives are elected by the people while the 111 members of the Council are appointed by the President. The judicial system, headed by a supreme court, is based on Islamic law.