Plaid Cymru delegates were told the party had to be united

Mr Iwan singled out "those of you in elected positions" as he told members in Aberystwyth that Plaid would succeed only if it was united.

But at the annual conference, dominated by questions about the leadership, Dafydd Iwan joked about the issue and brushed it aside as "tittle-tattle".

He also confirmed that Plaid was launching a rebranding exercise.

I know I can trust every one of you, and especially those of you in elected positions, to always remember that... we are in politics not for personal gain Dafydd Iwan on leadership

Mr Iwan gave his president's speech on Saturday after a week in which party chairman John Dixon accused unnamed members of "plotting" to overthrow the leadership.

Mr Iwan, one of Wales' best-known folk singers, played on the lyrics of one of his tunes, Yma o Hyd (Still Here), to tell delegates: "Despite everything, I'm still here and still enjoying it.

Dafydd Iwan says his party needs reinvigorating

"It must be a good job because from what I read in the papers there are hundreds of people after it."

He devoted large parts of his speech to attacking the war in Iraq, claiming there was no difference between Labour in Wales and Westminster, and arguing for the Welsh assembly to become "a fully-fledged parliament with real legislative powers".

He criticised the attention on the leadership issue, saying: "The media more often than not are only interested in the headliners - and we have a few of those - and the odd bit of tittle-tattle instead of policies for Wales."

A new image, a new logo, and a new face to Plaid Cymru - but behind that, there has to be a reinvigorated party Dafydd Iwan on rebranding

Mr Iwan said Plaid could claim the credit for "everything of significance over the last 50 years in creating the new political map of Wales".

He told delegates the next steps were a parliament, and then the people of Wales would decide if they wanted the nation to become "as we believe we should, a full independent member of the European Union and the United Nations."

Renewed enthusiasm

However, he went on: "But to achieve our goal we must be united as a party.

"And I know I can trust every one of you, and especially those of you in elected positions, to always remember that what makes us different is that we are in politics not for personal gain or advancement, but for Wales.

"We believe we can make a difference to the lives of all the people of Wales. And that cause is more than any single one of us."

Mr Iwan said the party needed a "fresh new image" for the 21st Century, and senior figures will begin a series of meetings with members to discuss where change is needed.

Plaid Cymru's 'triban' logo may disappear under the rebranding

Mr Iwan told BBC Radio Wales it was "high time" for a new image, with a "new, young, vital party".

"We are not going to change our policies," he said.

"It is a question of rebranding, a new image, a new logo, and a new face to Plaid Cymru - but behind that, there has to be a reinvigorated party and a renewed enthusiasm in the branches."

Plaid's leadership has been questioned after two poor elections which saw its assembly seats cut from 17 to 12 in 2003, and its MPs reduced from four to three in May's general election.

Former MP Simon Thomas has announced that he now wants to be a candidate for the assembly. He hopes to be selected on the regional list for South Wales Central.

Mr Thomas, who unexpectedly lost Ceredigion to the Liberal Democrats, has also told BBC Wales that coalition government is the only way forward in the assembly.

Former president Dafydd Wigley, who was confirmed by the conference as honorary president, said Plaid would have to examine what support it could have from other parties after the next election.