Libya's supreme court on Thursday struck down as "unconstitutional" a law passed at the start of May that banned glorification of slain leader Moamer Kadhafi.

"In the name of the people, the court has decided on the unconstitutionality of Law No 37," the head of the court's constitutional chamber announced at a brief hearing.

A Libyan human rights group had lodged an appeal with the court against the law adopted by Libya's ruling National Transitional Council on May 2 that drew criticism from international watchdogs over freedom of expression.

"Praising or glorifying Moamer Kadhafi, his regime, his ideas or his sons... is punishable by a prison sentence," read the text of the law. The jail terms were unspecified but could range from three to 15 years under Libya's penal code.