The Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah circulated the decision to dismiss Mohammed Oun from his position as Minister of Oil and Gas to the Energy Council, the Ministry of Oil, and the National Oil Corporation.
In response to the circular, Oun addressed a message that he said was to the Libyan people, in which he said, "Dbeibah's decision to dismiss him from his position is invalid."
Oun confirmed that the decision was issued on June 6, 2024, but was not circulated until November 21. He also indicated that the Tripoli Court of Appeal issued two executive rulings to invalidate the assignment of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil to manage the ministry's duties.
Oun accused the Prime Minister of "contempt for judicial rulings" and described the decision to dismiss him as "personal revenge, and abuse of power." He also denied that he had engaged in any financial or administrative corruption practices.
The Administrative Control Authority issued last March a decision to suspend Oun from work as a precaution due to investigations, after which Dbeibah issued a decision to assign Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas Khalifa Abdul Sadiq to manage the ministry’s duties.
In May, the Control Authority lifted the precautionary suspension of Oun, and the Ministry of Oil and Gas announced Oun's return to assume the duties as Minister of Oil.
However, Dbeibah addressed the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that Khalifa Abdul Sadiq would continue his work as Minister of Oil and Gas.
