The session, which began late Tuesday at the Ouagadougou Complex in Sirte, 450km east of Tripoli, coincides with the festivities marking the 27th anniversary of the proclamation of the People's power in Libya (on 2 March 1977).
It is convening at a crucial moment in the country's history, observers hinted, indicating that the current session is expected to determine the most important budget ever devoted to
development and infrastructure in 20 years.
The CGP is also meeting a few weeks after Libya decided to drop its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes and equipment, and the gradual normalisation of the relations between Tripoli and Western capitals, notably Washington.
The Popular Congresses convened throughout the country 7-17 February 2004 to discuss Libya's foreign and internal policies, particularly the State Budget, estimated to be in several billion US dollars.
On the external front, they examined the new orientations for the country's diplomacy in light of the settlement of the thorny issues of Lockerbie and UTA and the rapprochement with Western capitals.
Distinguished guests who attended the opening of the CGP proceedings included a high power US Congressional delegation led by Rep. Curt Weldon (Penn). This was the first of such presence since the severance of relations between Tripoli and Washington some 23 years ago.
Other parliamentary delegations from Mali, Niger, Egypt, China, Belgium, France and the European Council also attended the opening session Tuesday evening.
Separate speakers who took turns at the rostrum unanimously hailed Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Kadhafi for his efforts to realise the unity and total integrity of the African continent.
They also commended Libya's bold decision to abandon its WMD programmes and promote peace worldwide.