The Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, Ageela Saleh, has declared that the ongoing blockade on the flow of oil and gas will continue until the Central Bank Governor resumes his legal duties. Saleh emphasized that this measure is crucial to protecting Libya’s wealth from misuse and theft, safeguarding the nation’s resources.
In a press statement released by the Media Center of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Saleh stated that any infringement on the responsibilities and duties of the House of Representatives is a blatant violation of the will of the people, undermining their choice and the representatives they have elected. He further called on all those who have overstepped their boundaries to return to their rightful duties and avoid making decisions or taking actions that could destabilize Libya’s political, security, and economic landscape.
Saleh stressed that any political settlement that does not guarantee the rights of Libya’s regions to the nation’s wealth is unacceptable, as it would jeopardize the country’s reconstruction and development efforts and the pursuit of justice among Libyans.
He firmly stated that the appointment of the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya is not within the powers of the Presidential Council. Saleh highlighted that the actions taken by the Presidential Council are in violation of the law, the constitutional declaration, and the political agreement.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives underscored that the parliament is committed to performing its duties and upholding its responsibilities. He pointed out that the appointment of the Central Bank Governor is an exclusive prerogative of the House of Representatives in consultation with the High Council of State.
Saleh also underscored the importance of all political bodies and societal components in respecting the constitutional legitimacy derived from the constitutional declaration and international agreements, specifically the Skhirat Agreement. This agreement, in Article 15, clearly states that the House of Representatives, in consultation with the High Council of State, is responsible for appointing the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, a process also outlined in Law No. 1 of 2005 and its amendments.
Saleh affirmed that House Resolution No. 7 of 2024 regarding the appointment of the Central Bank Governor, his deputy, and the Bank’s Board of Directors was issued in accordance with the law and its requirements. As such, the current Governor, Al Siddik Al Kabir, and his deputy, Marai Al Barassi, must continue to perform their duties in managing and operating the Central Bank in line with the law. The Board of Directors’ appointment will be finalized in the coming days.
The Speaker expressed his astonishment at the appointment of Mohammed Al-Shukri as an illegitimate governor, especially after the unification of the Central Bank of Libya. He noted that Al-Shukri, despite being appointed in 2018, neither took the legal oath nor assumed his duties.
Saleh called on the Attorney General to initiate criminal proceedings against those responsible for the illegal takeover of the Central Bank and to begin investigations immediately, providing updates on the actions taken and the outcomes of these investigations.
He urged all parties involved to rectify the violations, respect jurisdictional rules, enforce laws, and adhere to constitutional legitimacy. He concluded by holding the Presidential Council fully accountable for the disruption in the banking sector, both domestically and internationally, and for the security breaches that have led to the extortion, abduction, and threats against Central Bank employees.
