The debate on conflict in Iraq provoked controversy

Instead, the Perth gathering gave a qualified expression of support to the popular resistence.

The decision came on Saturday after a passionate debate.

On Sunday, the party could choose a successor to Tommy Sheridan, but a motion proposes options other than electing a new national convener.

During the debate on the Iraqi motion, activist Carlo Morelli, from the party's Cupar and Howe of Fife branch, said it should be noted that the insurgents are not a "minority pocket of the population".

Travel passes

But delegate Joe Eyre, from Cathcart East, won applause when he declared: "I will not be lectured to that I have to give unconditional support to people who slaughter innocent civilians.

"By all means, fight to get the occupation out of Iraq, and defend the right of the Iraqi people to resistance."

The Scottish Socialist Party has six politicians at Holyrood

Other conference business will look at the Asian tsunami, the economy and party policy.

Proposals include compulsory purchase of land to provide housing in rural areas, making concessionary travel passes available for use anywhere in Scotland, shorter working hours for people who drive for a living and the creation of a new dental school in Aberdeen.

Other motions reaffirm the party's commitment to an independent socialist Scotland and a call for a "secular schooling" system where children are educated about different faiths but not from within a single religion.

But the main spotlight will be on the possible election of a new convener.

Mr Sheridan stood down as leader in November, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

SSP MSP Colin Fox and the party's policy co-ordinator, Alan McCombes, are contesting the position.

'Collective leadership'

However, before an election can take place delegates will discuss a motion which suggests four options for governing the party.

Other options include maintaining the "collective rule" situation adopted when Mr Sheridan stood down, in which the party's six Holyrood MSPs take turns at First Minister's Questions.

The party will also consider two co-conveners, elected by Single Transferable Vote, or collective leadership by a group of four or five people.

Mr Sheridan stood down in November

The motion proposing the options claims that a decision to retain the single convener, taken by the party's National Council in December, had denied the conference the opportunity to discuss alternative options.

It says that the SSP finds itself in the "onerous position" of having to replace Mr Sheridan, who was seen by some as the "embodiment" of the party.

Mr Sheridan had been the SSP's sole representative in the first Holyrood term after being elected as a list MSP for Glasgow.

In the second Scottish Parliament election he was joined by five new members - Mr Fox, Rosie Kane, Rosemary Byrne, Carolyn Leckie and Frances Curran.