The Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah criticized the decision to impose a tax on foreign exchange transactions, saying this was an individual and unfortunate decision and adding that "they want to steal 26% of the Libyans’ savings, and everyone must reject it.”
This rejection came in his speech at the first Misrata Ramadan Season Festival, in which he said: “Libya is fine... They want to mislead us just as they hid the billions that were lost from the accounts of the Central Bank in the past years... Who held them accountable? Hold them accountable... You must hold them accountable. Hold those who squandered our money accountable."
He added that 80% of the Libyan revenues "went into the pockets of citizens", and the rest was used for projects, expressing his readiness to be held accountable to the people.
"The country is experiencing all kinds of stability despite the attempts of some to restrict it, and our will is strong to maintain the stability we have achieved.” He added.
On March 15, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aqila Saleh, issued a decision, based on the Central Bank Governor's proposal, to impose a 27% tax on the official exchange rate of foreign currencies for all purposes until the end of the year 2024.
The Central Bank of Libya directed the commercial banks to implement the decision, while Dbeibah confirmed that he did not accept the decision, warning of the “negative effects” of the tax on Libyans.
