Libya’s Central Bank (CBL) has resumed operations after the release of a bank official who was recently abducted from his home, BBC reports on August 19th. The official, Musaab Muslamm, head of the bank’s information technology department, was taken by an “unidentified party” on Sunday, August 18th, from the capital, Tripoli. The abduction of Muslamm led to a temporary halt in all bank activities, as CBL refused to reopen until he was safely freed.
In a brief statement, CBL confirmed that Muslamm had been safely returned and that the bank was once again fully operational. The incident had heightened concerns for the safety of other bank employees, who were also reportedly threatened with kidnapping.
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The Central Bank of Libya plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, serving as the only internationally recognized depository for Libya’s vital oil revenues. The bank’s operations are critical in a nation deeply divided between two rival governments—one based in Tripoli, recognized by the UN, and the other in the east, backed by warlord General Khalifa Haftar.
Muslamm’s abduction occurred just a week after the central bank endured a siege by armed men, according to reports from AFP. The armed group allegedly sought the resignation of the bank’s governor, Seddik al-Kabir, who has been in office since 2012. Kabir has faced mounting criticism over his management of the country’s oil resources and state budget.
On Monday, Governor Kabir met with British ambassador to Libya, Martin Longden, to discuss the growing threats to the security of the bank, its employees, and its systems. The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the central bank in a country plagued by instability since the ousting and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Libya’s persistent power struggles have left the nation in a state of chronic insecurity, with the central bank’s role as a stabilizing economic force increasingly under threat. As the bank resumes operations, concerns remain over the safety and security of its employees amidst the broader turmoil in the country.
BBC and agencies
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