TRIPOLI, Libya — Libya’s central bank announced Sunday the suspension of all operations following the kidnapping of its information technology director, Musab Msallem, from his home in Tripoli.
In a statement, the bank condemned the abduction, saying Msallem was taken by an “unidentified party” early Sunday morning. The bank also reported that other employees have received kidnapping threats.
The central bank, which serves as the internationally recognized depository for Libya’s crucial oil revenues, stated that operations will not resume until Msallem is released.
This incident comes a week after the bank reportedly faced a siege by armed men, according to AFP news agency. Local media, cited by AFP, suggested that the armed individuals were attempting to force the resignation of the bank’s governor, Seddik al-Kabir.
Al-Kabir, who has held his position since 2012, has faced criticism over his management of oil resources and the state budget.
The central bank plays a vital role in Libya’s economy, particularly as the country has been divided between two rival governments since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. One government, recognized by the United Nations, is based in Tripoli, while another in the country’s east is backed by warlord Gen. Khalifa Haftar.
Libya has struggled with chronic insecurity and political instability since Gaddafi’s ousting and subsequent killing. The country’s oil wealth, managed through the central bank, has been a focal point of power struggles between competing factions.
The suspension of central bank operations could have significant implications for Libya’s economy, potentially affecting the distribution of oil revenues and the functioning of the country’s financial system.
As of Sunday evening, no group had claimed responsibility for Msallem’s abduction. Libyan authorities have not released any information about ongoing efforts to secure his release.
The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Libya, where kidnappings and armed confrontations remain common despite international efforts to stabilize the country.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and other international bodies monitoring the situation in Libya have yet to comment on this latest development.
