The Libyan Parliament-designated government, led by Osama Hammad, has called for the dissolution of the Supreme Financial Committee. This committee was formed by the Libyan Presidential Council’s Head, Mohamed Al-Mnifi.
The government slammed the committee, stating its continuation is unjustified, after the Parliament approved the 2023 budget. It highlighted that the committee failed to establish any practical procedures, outlining spending mechanisms for entities funded by the public treasury.
The government expressed surprise at statements attributed to Al-Mnifi, during a recent financial committee meeting in Tripoli. He claimed that the committee had successfully developed and managed the first national mechanism for Libyan state funds, in the past two months. Additionally, he urged committee members to suggest strategies for rebuilding areas affected by the floods, in their next meeting.
It criticized the committee for not clarifying spending mechanisms, or allocating funds as previously claimed, corroborated by some committee members. The committee allegedly failed to determine actual resources and revenues, needed to cover such spending, according to an official statement.
The government pointed out that the committee’s initial purpose was to ensure a consensus on collecting, and redistributing public revenues fairly and transparently. However, with the 2023 budget’s approval by the Parliament, there is no need for the committee’s continuation. This move is seen as an infringement on the legislative authority’s jurisdiction and, specifically, the government’s mandates. Thus, the committee’s continuation might face legal consequences.
The government also mentioned that allowing the committee’s continued operation, and overlooking its negative consequences gave illegitimate entities leverage. This situation empowered them to misuse public funds, destabilizing the region. It stated that the recent incidents in Benghazi serve as a prime example.
It mentioned the Libyan government’s efforts in addressing the aftermath of a disaster, with significant on-ground support from the general leadership, under the direct supervision of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. It criticized the alleged misrepresentation of these efforts, accusing some parties of exploiting the situation for political gain, especially in the wake of Hurricane Daniel. It also called on the Parliament, and the High Council of State (HCS) to bear their “legal and historical responsibilities in selecting a unified government to consolidate state institutions, and halt the resultant disorder from the bodies whose terms have ended as per the political agreement in Geneva.”