By Ashraf Abdul-Wahab and Ahmed Elumami.
Tripoli, 30, August 2013:
Social . . .[restrict]media reports that the President of Congress, Nuri Abu Sahmain, has appointed himself as governor of the Central Bank of Libya have been described as “rubbish” by a senior official at the bank.
However, another bank official has told the Libya Herald that the governor, Saddek Elkaber, had received a letter from Abu Sahmain telling him not to take any action without first obtaining approval from Abu Sahmain.
Congresswomen Fareeha Berkawi, a member the Finance Committee, doubted that the GNC president had taken over the post. “I’ve not heard that he appointed himself as the Central Bank governor”. She was not prepared to believe the story until there was firm evidence of the fact. In any event, any such action, if taken without the Finance Committee’s knowledge and Congress’ approval, would be illegal, she said. It was for Congress to appoint someone to the post.
In the meantime, Barkawi said, it was studying the curricula vitae of the candidates for the job. In July, Congress decided it would appoint a new governor and deputy governor for the Central Bank.
Last month, Abu Sahmain took on the role of commander-in-chief of the Libyan armed forces. The move has been widely accepted although some Congress members have questioned his right to do so and even whether such a role exists. [/restrict]
