Libya’s House of Representatives has removed the head of its Economy and Investment Committee, Badr Al-Nahib, after he issued a unilateral communication proposing the imposition of taxes on certain goods without consulting committee members.
In an internal memorandum addressed to the House Presidency, the committee announced its categorical rejection of the correspondence sent by Al-Nahib, which reportedly included a proposal to levy taxes on selected commodities. Members stated that the move was made without prior discussion, consultation or a formal vote within the committee.
The committee described the action as an تجاوز of authority and a breach of parliamentary procedures, arguing that it represented an attempt to impose individual positions outside established institutional frameworks. It stressed that the communication did not represent the will of the committee or the broader House of Representatives.
Members called for the matter to be referred for immediate investigation and for Al-Nahib to be held accountable for what they termed a “unilateral act”. They further informed the House Presidency of their decision to suspend and dismiss him temporarily from the committee chairmanship until a new head is elected, in accordance with Law No. 4 of 2014 governing the House and its specialised committees.
The development follows a separate statement earlier this week in which 107 MPs denied that any official or binding decision had been adopted to impose new taxes or financial burdens. They emphasised that no such legislation had been approved during a duly convened session with a legal quorum.
In late January, Al-Nahib publicly defended his proposal, saying it targeted non-essential goods rather than basic commodities such as flour, wheat, oil and rice. He described the initiative as a draft measure intended to curb excessive profits and protect citizens.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions within Libya’s legislative institutions over fiscal policy and decision-making procedures.
