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MAPUTO, June 18 (AFP) - The ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) on Tuesday ended a five-day congress at which it confirmed party veteran Armando Guebuza as its presidential candidate in 2004 elections and took steps to reform the party.

Guebuza was Tuesday confirmed by the newly-elected central committee as FRELIMO's presidential candidate in the 2004 vote, in which Mozambicans will choose a successor to President Joaquim Chissano, standing down after 16 years in power.

Chissano said that with Guebuza at the helms of power, "we will further dynamise our party and consequently the development of our country".

Chissano took over the impoverished southern African state at the height of civil war in 1986 after the death in a plane crash of the country's first president since independence, Samora Machel.

Chissano announced in May he will step down at the end of his second term, although a constitutional provision allows him to bid for a third mandate.

The long-time leader was, however, retained as president of FRELIMO, prompting comments by some observers that he will effectively remain in charge, with Guebuza a nominal figurehead.

Guebuza, 59, joined FRELIMO in 1965, three years after it was founded to liberate Mozambique from Portuguese colonial rule. He has worked under all the governments since independence in 1975.

Analysts had expressed surprise at Guebuza's nomination as FRELIMO's presidential candidate because the party had said part of its reforms would involve introducing new blood into the leadership.

Delegates to the congress also elected the 160 members of a new national central committee, choosing women for about 30 percent of the seats.

Former independence war veterans, civilians and young intellectuals also won seats on the committee.

During the five-day convention, FRELIMO delegates also reformed the party statutes and discussed key domestic issues such as land, HIV/AIDS and corruption.

The land issue attracted the greatest interest at the congress, where delegates warned against any attempts at privatisation.

Under the present legislation, land belongs to the state and can only be leased.

"FRELIMO's position is that land should remain state property because privatisation can lead to social conflicts," party spokesman Alcido Nguenha said during the congress. - Nampa-AFP

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