UN hosts separate talks in Tripoli to address Libya's central bank crisis

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said it hosted separate talks on Monday in Tripoli to resolve a crisis surrounding the Central Bank of Libya (CBL).

Representatives from Libya's House of Representatives, High Council of State and Presidential Council participated in the talks, UNSMIL said in a statement.

The consultations lasted from morning until late into the night and were marked by "open and candid" dialogue, it added.

The discussions were concluded with "significant understandings" to address the crisis and restore the confidence of Libyans and international partners in the vital institution.

"They further agreed to submit the draft agreement to their respective Chambers for review, with the aim of finalizing and signing the agreement on Tuesday," UNSMIL added.

On Aug. 18, the Tripoli-based bank said it suspended its operations following the abduction of its Information Technology Director, Musab Moslem. It said several bank officials have also been threatened with kidnapping.

The move followed a statement by the East Libya-based parliament, which denounced what it called attempts by some individuals to take control of the central bank.

Last week, the UN’s Libya mission expressed "deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Libya resulting from unilateral decisions."

The Financial Times reported that Libya’s Central Bank Governor Sadiq al-Kabir and other senior bank staff had been forced to flee the country to "protect our lives from potential attacks by armed militias."

Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011, when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power.

The country is currently governed by two rival administrations: the UN-recognized Government of National Unity led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Tripoli, which controls the western part of the country, and the government of Osama Hammad, appointed by the parliament, which operates out of Benghazi and governs the eastern region and parts of the south.

Efforts led by the UN to hold parliamentary and presidential elections have repeatedly stalled, prolonging the country’s political deadlock and exacerbating the security situation in the oil-rich nation.