The Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has criticized the decision to impose a tax on foreign exchange transactions, saying this is an individual and unfortunate decision.
“They want to steal 26% of the Libyans’ savings, and everyone must reject it.” He explained to a crowd at the first Misrata Ramadan Season Festival, where he said: “Libya is fine. They want to mislead us just as they have hidden the billions that are lost from the accounts of the Central Bank over the years.Who held them accountable? You must hold them accountable. Hold those who squandered our money accountable.”
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 tax, warning of the “negative effects” on Libyans.
