The UN said it held talks on September 2 with the two rival governments in Libya, whose differences have led to a crisis in the governance of the central bank and fears over the oil sector. The UN Organization Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said it met separately with the parties for discussions. “marked by open and honest dialogue”.
In the grip of chaos since the fall and death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya is governed by two rival executives: that of Abdelhamid Dbeibah, based in Tripoli and recognized by the United Nations (UN), and another in the East, supported by Marshal Khalifa Haftar. These “efforts to resolve the crisis” The move comes after the authorities in Tripoli ousted the governor of the Central Bank of Libya (BCL), a move condemned by the eastern administration, which denounces an attempt to take control of the institution.
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Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s camp responded by stopping oil production and exports. Tensions have been high since the beginning of August and the siege of the Central Bank by a group of men, some of whom were armed, demanding the resignation of Governor Seddik El Kabir. The latter indicated to the Financial Times that he had fled the country because of « menaces » of armed groups.
The UN also wrote on X that the rivals had agreed to submit a draft agreement to their respective parliaments, with a view to signing an agreement on Tuesday. Governor El Kebir, in office since 2012, was recently criticized by Mr. Dbeibah’s entourage for his management of the oil windfall, considered too favorable to the Haftar clan.
On Monday, August 26, a new management team entered the BCL premises, but analysts have expressed doubts about its ability to run this institution, which stopped all its operations following the departure of Governor El Kebir. Libya draws almost all of its resources from oil exploitation, whose production had recently returned to 1.2 million barrels per day (compared to 1.5 to 1.6 million before the 2011 revolution).
Read also | In Libya, Eastern Authorities Announce Closure of Oil Fields and Suspension of Exports
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