Malta lifts restrictions on Libyan accounts
Malta has removed restrictions on 1,800 Libyan accounts at Valletta Bank and established mechanisms for fund recovery at Santa Bank, Libya’s Unity Government announced on Thursday.
The development follows discussions between Acting Foreign Minister Taher Al-Baour and the Committee for Lifting Restrictions on Libyan Funds Abroad, attended by Maltese Ambassador to Libya Charles Saliba and European Affairs Department officials.
The Foreign Ministry will coordinate with the Maltese Embassy to announce procedures for citizens with frozen balances to submit required documentation. The initiative implements Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s Decision No. 26 of 2024.
This issue has been a priority since Dbeibah established a dedicated committee under Decision No. 110 of 2021. The committee previously met with Maltese officials and affected Libyan account holders.
Maltese authorities have repeatedly stated they have “no intention to target Libyan funds” and are working to facilitate the recovery process.
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