Libya official questions US embassy economy plans

Libya’s First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fawzi Al-Nuwairi, expressed concerns on Thursday about what he described as the US Embassy’s involvement in Libya’s economic affairs, particularly following recent developments at the Central Bank.

In an official statement, Al-Nuwairi claimed that the US Embassy’s recent activities could potentially conflict with Libyan financial law.

He specifically pointed to meetings being organised that he believes might interfere with the Central Bank’s operations.

“These meetings risk politicising the Central Bank and could undermine its governance structure,” Al-Nuwairi stated.

He urged the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to address what he characterised as interventions falling outside the mission’s mandate.

The statement comes amid reports of an economic dialogue taking place in Tunisia, reportedly organised under US Embassy auspices.

The meeting allegedly includes representatives from both the Dabaiba and Hamad governments, along with officials from the Central Bank and Audit Bureau. A similar dialogue was held in October 2023.

This is not the first time Al-Nuwairi has raised such concerns. On 10 October, he criticised what he termed as “American embassy interference” in Libya’s financial arrangements, emphasising that budget approval falls strictly under the authority of Libya’s legislative body.

“The financial law is explicit regarding budget approval procedures through the legislative authority,” Al-Nuwairi noted.

He cautioned against involving the Central Bank in political matters, stressing its role as a technical rather than political institution.

The Deputy Speaker called on UNSMIL to clarify its position, questioning whether support and assistance to Libyans should come through the UN mission or through individual country representatives in Libya.