Libya's Central Bank in Crisis as Militia Threatens Staff

Libya's central bank governor, Sadiq al-Kabir, revealed that he and other top bank officials had to leave the country due to threats and potential attacks from armed militia. The crisis highlights the struggle for control over Libya's central bank amid ongoing instability. The UN has urged for de-escalation and protection of bank employees.

Libya's central bank governor, Sadiq al-Kabir, stated that he and other senior employees were forced to flee the country to save their lives from potential militia attacks, according to the Financial Times on Friday.

Al-Kabir described how militias intimidate bank staff and sometimes even abduct their children and relatives to coerce them into working. He also criticized efforts by interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah to replace him, calling them illegal and against U.N. negotiated accords regarding control of the central bank.

This struggle over the Central Bank of Libya adds to the existing instability in the country, a significant oil producer divided between factions supported by Turkey and Russia. Earlier this week, the U.N. Support Mission in Libya called for ceasing unilateral decisions, lifting force majeure on oil fields, halting escalations and use of force, and ensuring the safety of central bank employees.