Libya’s central bank resumes operations after abducted official’s release
Central Bank is the repository for billions of dollars annually in oil revenue as well as foreign reserves
Updated 19 August 2024
AFP
TRIPOLI: Libya’s central bank said on Monday it was resuming its operations following the release of a bank official who had been abducted earlier.
The Central Bank of Libya stated that it was “resuming operations” after the release of Musab Msallem, its head of information technology, “and his safe return.”
Msallem was abducted from his house on Sunday morning by an “unidentified group,” the bank had said, adding it would “suspend all operations” until his release.
The bank had also called for an “end to these practices” and blamed “unlawful parties” that “threaten the safety of its employees and the continuity of the banking sector’s work.”
BACKGROUND
Musab Msallem’s abduction came a week after the central bank’s headquarters in Tripoli was besieged by armed men before they dispersed.
Msallem’s abduction came a week after the central bank’s headquarters in Tripoli was besieged by armed men before they dispersed, according to reports.
Local media said they did so to force the resignation of the bank’s governor, Seddik Al-Kabir.
Seddik Al-Kabir. (Supplied)
Since 2012, Al-Kabir has faced criticism — including from figures close to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah — over the management of Libya’s oil resources and the state budget.
During a meeting last week in Tunisia with US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland, Al-Kabir said there were “growing threats to the security” of the bank and its employees.
In a post on X, Norland later said that attempts to oust Al-Kabir were “unacceptable” and warned that replacing him “by force can result in Libya losing access to international financial markets.”
Norland said the confrontation in Tripoli “highlights the ongoing risks posed by the political stalemate in Libya.”
Home to 6.8 million people, Libya has struggled to recover from years of conflict after the 2011 uprising.
It remains divided between a UN-recognized government based in the capital, Tripoli, and led by Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east, backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar.
Although relative calm has returned in recent years, clashes still periodically break out between Libya’s myriad armed groups.
Msallem’s abduction came as rising tensions between rival factions have stirred fears of a broader escalation in recent weeks.
A look at Ramadan and how Muslims observe the holy month
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month cycles through the seasons
Ramadan is followed by the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Fitr
Updated 4 sec ago
AP
CAIRO: Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts. For Muslims, it’s a time for increased worship, religious reflection and charity. Socially, it often brings families and friends together in festive gatherings around meals to break their fast. Ramadan is followed by the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Fitr. First day of Ramadan expected around Feb. 18-19 Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month cycles through the seasons. The start of the month traditionally depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. This year, the first day of Ramadan is expected to be on or around Feb. 18 or 19. The actual start date may vary among countries and Muslim communities due to declarations by multiple Islamic authorities around the globe on whether the crescent had been sighted or different methodologies used to determine the beginning of the month. This year, the start of Ramadan is expected around the same time as Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage. Muslims see various meanings and lessons in observing the fast. It’s regarded as an act of worship to attain piety and one of submission to God. The devout see benefits, including practicing self-restraint, cultivating gratitude and empathizing with people who are poor and hungry. The daily fast in Ramadan includes abstaining from all food and drink — not even a sip of water is allowed — from dawn to sunset, before breaking the fast in a meal known as “iftar” in Arabic. Muslims typically stream into mosques for congregational prayers and dedicate more time to religious contemplation and the reading of the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book. Charity is a hallmark of Ramadan. Among other ways of giving, many seek to provide iftar for those in need, distributing Ramadan boxes filled with pantry staples, handing out warm meals alongside such things as dates and juice or helping hold free communal meals. Muslims eat a predawn meal, called “suhoor,” to hydrate and nurture their bodies ahead of the daily fast. Exemptions from fasting There are certain exemptions, such as for those who are unable to because of illness or travel. Those unable to fast due to being temporarily ill or traveling need to make up for the missed days of fasting later. Cultural and social traditions associated with Ramadan Muslims are ethnically and racially diverse and not all Ramadan traditions are rooted in religion. Some customs may transcend borders, while others can differ across cultures. Many social rituals center on gathering and socializing after the daily fast. Some Muslims decorate their homes, put out Ramadan-themed tableware and centerpieces or throng to markets and Ramadan bazaars. In Egypt, Ramadan is typically a festive time. Colorful lanterns, in different shapes and sizes, dangle from children’s hands and adorn homes. Ramadan songs may be played to welcome the month. Ramadan’s soundscape in Egypt has traditionally included the predawn banging on drums by a “mesaharati” who roams neighborhoods, calling out to the faithful, sometimes by name, to wake them up for the suhoor meal. New TV shows and communal meals A lineup of new television series is another social fixture of the month in some countries, and advertisers compete for viewers’ attention. In various regions, some Muslims worry that the month is getting commercialized, and say an emphasis on decorations, TV shows, outings or lavish iftar banquets can detract from Ramadan’s religious essence. Others say that a balance can be struck and that, in moderation, such rituals are part of the month’s festive spirit. In Indonesia, Ramadan rituals vary across regions, reflecting the diversity of cultures. In deeply conservative Aceh province, animals are slaughtered during Meugang festivities, the meat cooked and shared with family, friends, poor people and orphans. Hundreds of residents in Tangerang, a city outside the capital, Jakarta, flock to the Cisadane River to wash their hair with rice straw shampoo and welcome the fasting month with a symbolic spiritual cleansing. Across the island of Sumatra, after evening prayers, many boys and girls parade through the streets, carrying torches and playing Islamic songs. In the United States, where Muslims make up a racially and ethnically diverse minority, gathering at mosques and Islamic centers when possible for iftar meals and prayers provides many Muslim families with a sense of community. Some Muslims also organize or attend interfaith iftar meals.
