UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said the UN Mission in Libya has received reports of widespread corruption, which opened the door for irresponsible attempts by some for currency manipulation in order to make an immediate profit on the black market, causing shortages of basic foodstuff.

Guterres added that there are reports of bribes being paid in order to facilitate transactions, and systematic smuggling of goods, including fuel, according to the 2018 UN report, noting that political divisions and insecurity have increased macroeconomic instability in Libya.

The UN Panel of Experts on Libya said that the absence of mechanisms of effective monitoring and the complicity of political figures, in addition to the growing power of armed groups had led to the embezzlement of state funds at unprecedented levels.

Economy