The Central Bank of Libya announced the suspension of all operations after one of its officials was abducted in Tripoli. The head of information technology, Musab Msallem, was taken from his home, prompting the bank to cease operations until his release. Other executives were also threatened with abduction, leading to a call for an end to such actions by unlawful parties.
Last week, armed men besieged the central bank’s headquarters in an attempt to force the resignation of the bank’s governor, Seddik al-Kabir. US ambassador Richard Norland condemned these efforts, warning of potential repercussions on Libya’s access to international financial markets.
The UN Support Mission in Libya emphasized the bank’s role in financial stability, while concerns over the management of oil resources persist. Libya, torn by conflict since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, remains divided between rival administrations in Tripoli and the east, fueling ongoing risks and tensions within the country.
With recent events escalating fears of broader conflict, the abduction of the bank official underscores the fragile state of Libya’s political and economic landscape.