In a statement released yesterday, 107 members of the House of Representatives (HoR) affirmed that the House (in its entirety), as the competent legislative authority, has not issued any valid or enforceable decision authorizing the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) to impose taxes on goods or any other financial burdens.
The Representatives clarified that any correspondence or communications circulating or relied upon, regardless of their source, do not represent the true will of the (whole) HoR and do not acquire any legal or binding force, as they were not issued according to proper legislative procedures and through a formal session with a quorum.
It emphasized that it is impermissible to rely on it to take any measures that affect the financial or monetary situation of the state or the rights of citizens.
The members declared their complete legal and constitutional rejection of this measure, which was not approved by the HoR as a whole. They urged all individuals, entities, and institutions that may be harmed by the CBL’s actions to resort to the competent judicial authorities and file lawsuits and appeals against these measures through all available legal means.
The implication in the 107-member statement is that the imposition of new taxes has been implemented by the ‘‘leadership’’ of the HoR, led by Speaker Ageela Saleh. Saleh is notorious for forcing unilateral decisions in collusion with the Hafters.
The CBL has started to implement the new import taxes
According to social media reports, the CBL has begun implementing the new import tax on consumer goods issued by the HoR. The decision imposes varying taxes on imported goods:
– Basic commodities such as staple foods are exempt from the tax – 0%
– Some food items and raw materials – 7%
– Consumer products, cleaning supplies, and auto parts – 12%
– Building materials, clothing, and household appliances – 25%
– Electronic devices and luxury cars – ranging between 30% and 35%.
– Tobacco and cigarettes up to – 40%.
The CBL, meanwhile, has been conspicuous by its silence as it has not yet issued any official announcement regarding the details of the implementation mechanism or its timing for the new taxes.
Libyan diner plunges to over LD 10.50 to the dollar
The move by the leadership of the HoR and the CBL to force through new taxes to curb imports, reduce demand for the dollar on the black-market foreign exchange, save hard currency reserves and defend the Libyan dinar exchange rate, comes as the dinar collapsed yesterday on the black-market to unprecedented rates over the LD 10.50 to the dollar mark.
