Libyan Parliament Reviews 2024 General Budget Proposal The Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh reviewed the general budget proposal for the year 2024, with the designated government headed by Osama Hammad.
In a meeting held in Al-Qubba, eastern Libya, Saleh discussed the steps taken regarding the unification of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL).
The Deputy Governor, Mourad Miftah Al-Barasi, participated in the meeting.
The Parliament-designated government said that Hammad briefed Saleh on the proposed general budget for the year 2024, and its financing methods. As well as the government’s role in providing services to citizens, and supporting the completion of a number of important and vital projects.
The statement added that, Al-Barasi provided a comprehensive briefing to Saleh on the specific steps taken to unify the rival CBL’s.
He also briefed Saleh on the efforts of the bank’s management to “overcome obstacles in providing services to all citizens, including opening up exchanges, providing liquidity, and facilitating services in all branches of the banks operating in the country.”
The Parliament is the legislative body of Libya and is based in Tobruk. The CBL has been divided since 2014, with rival branches in Tripoli and Benghazi. The unification of the CBL is seen as a crucial step in stabilizing Libya’s economy.
Earlier this month, Hammad met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
The two sides discussed all the current developments at the national level during the meeting, which was held at the General Command headquarters in Benghazi.
Haftar has spoken out against the widespread corruption in Libya. He called for immediate action to be taken against those responsible.
In a statement, Haftar expressed his concern about “the increasing poverty in Libya, while the public funds are being looted.”
Haftar stated that the reports from the accounting and oversight bodies “reveal shocking levels of corruption, while Libyans are becoming poorer and looting is becoming more blatant.”
He added that the CBL has wasted over $10 billion on certain companies, while the southern region, which produces oil, has only received 2% and 6% of this $10 billion.
Haftar emphasized the need for “a high-level committee to address the country’s financial arrangements,” and gave them until the end of August to complete their work.
He warned that “if the committee fails to do so, the Libyan people will be forced to demand their legitimate rights from the country’s oil wealth.”
