Latest news with #Al-Ghariani
Libya Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Libya Herald
Secular and religious agree on need for Libya's gradual energy subsidy reform
The secular and religious worlds have come to agreement on the need for Libya to gradually reform its fuel subsidies in the unlikely bedfellows of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Libya's (western region) Grand Mufti (the highest religious authority). Dar Al-Ifta, the highest religious body, released a video clip last Thursday (24 July) of the Grand Mufti of Libya, Sadeg al-Ghiriani, basing his religious recommendation on Libya's fuel subsidy reform on the IMF's study published this month entitled 'Energy Subsidy Reform in Libya'. Speaking on the problems of Libya's economy, the Mufti said ''the first step to reforming the waste of public money that Libya is currently experiencing is to lift the (energy) subsidies, almost half probably more, of which go to the money of criminals and smugglers''. Drawing on the IMF Al-Ghariani continued ''The report issued by the IMF calling for the lifting of energy subsidies is a study by international experts, the government should take advantage of it and gradually lift subsidies, as the report suggested, as there is no country in the world where gasoline and energy are sold at the price that it is sold at (LD 0.15 / US$ 0.09 per litre) in Libya''. Lack of trust in government – fear of failure to compensate for subsidy removal Dealing with some of the opposition Libyans have to the introduction of fuel subsidy reforms, the Grand Mufti said Libyans 'should not let their emotions carry them away by saying they fear if subsidies are removed the government will not live up to its promise to substitute it with a direct cash payment (equivalent to their realistic average annual consumption of fuel). ''Do Libyans agree to at least a third of their state budget being wasted away, robbed by thieves for illicit use and profligacy? This (continued squandering of public money) is not appropriate to the behaviour of any wise, Muslim or human being'', he added. ''I therefore call on the (Tripoli based Libyan) government to open this topic again based on the IMF's report and work on gradually lifting the (energy) subsidies, as suggested in the IMF report until energy prices reach their real (market) price''. The IMF study on Libya's energy subsidy reform It will be recalled that, and as reported by Libya Herald, the IMF report had stated that energy subsidies have become a significant burden on government finances in Libya. The study said the pervasive nature of subsidies has led to rampant corruption, smuggling, and a diversion of resources from essential public services. The paper identifies key barriers to reform, including opposition from vested interest groups and public apprehension regarding inflation and welfare loss. To address these challenges, a strategic reform plan is proposed, emphasizing a phased approach, a comprehensive communication plan and social protection measures to mitigate the adverse effects of subsidy removal. By taking these steps, Libya can transition towards a more sustainable framework that supports macroeconomic stability, the IMF study stated. . IMF study entitled 'Energy Subsidy Reform in Libya' concludes that reform is crucial as subsidies lead to overconsumption and premature resource depletion Fuel subsidies reached LD 60 billion, 30 percent of which is smuggled – therefore can invest just LD 5 bn in housing: CBL Governor Issa Audit Bureau 2023 Annual Report: 2023 state subsidies amounted to LD 68.5 billion Libya loses about US$ 12 billion annually in smuggled subsidies: Aldabaiba Decision to remove fuel subsidies has been taken: PM Aldabaiba ( NOC chairman Bengdara says his organisation is not a security force to combat fuel smuggling ( Aldabaiba forms ministerial committee to study mechanism for fuel subsidy reform – again ( Supreme Council for Energy adopts NOC 2023-2027 plan, including alternative energy project ( Supreme Council for Energy Affairs holds first meeting ( At Gharian cabinet meeting, Aldabaiba explains fall in black-market value of dinar and resounds alarm over fuel subsidies ( Fuel quantities, smuggling and subsidy reform – and increased oil production through PPP discussed at summit meeting ( Alternatives to fuel subsidies with cash payments delivered to Aldabaiba ( Prime minister Aldabaiba forms Ministerial committee to study reforming fuel subsidies, orders payment of family grant, increases pensions ( Libya's Economic Reform Salon proposes reforms for the country's fuel subsidies | ( Fuel subsidy reform proposal presented to Serraj government | ( Libya reduces subsidies on commercial-use kerosene | ( Subsidies are seen as an entitlement by Libyans: GNA Planning Minister | ( Government to reduce petrol subsidies | ( Cash for goods subsidy reform adopted by Tripoli authorities | ( Subsidy reform: petrol prices to be increased by 200% | ( 2014 Budget commits government to subsidy reform by Jan 2015 | ( The 2014 Budget: Subsidies up – despite deficit and oil exporting crises | ( 2014 budget expected to be LD 68.59bn – salaries and subsidies shoot up | ( Unemployment, subsidies, undiversified economy, stifled private sector – problems of Libyan economy: WB | ( Fuel subsidies removed over 30 months in three stages – Economy Minister Abufunas | ( Subsidy reform: Smugglers are the ones prospering from subsidies – Zeidan | ( Cabinet meeting forms committee on subsidies – Zeidan | ( Oil minister says fuel subsidies to go by 2016 | (
Libyan Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Ghariani urges mass demonstrations over Libya's political stalemate
BY Libyan Express May 23, 2025 - 08:31 Updated: May 23, 2025 - 08:33 Religious authority calls for public mobilisation over Libya's political future Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ghariani, Libya's influential Grand Mufti, has issued a dramatic call for widespread public demonstrations aimed at bringing down the country's entire transitional governmental apparatus. Speaking on Tanasuh TV , Al-Ghariani urged Libyans to mount large-scale protests demanding not simply elections or a change of leadership, but the complete dissolution of all transitional bodies that have governed since the 2011 revolution. His inflammatory rhetoric marks a significant escalation in opposition to Libya's prolonged political paralysis. 'Citizens should organise mass demonstrations calling for the conclusion of transitional phases,' the powerful cleric declared, insisting that protesters must focus on wholesale institutional change rather than mere governmental reshuffles or concerns about regional representation. The Grand Mufti reserved his harshest criticism for a recent advisory committee, dismissing its twenty-member composition as wholly illegitimate and unauthorised to represent the Libyan people. He characterised the body as little more than a front for international organisations, propped up by parliamentary support and designed to perpetuate the very transitional arrangements that have left Libya mired in political uncertainty for more than a decade. Al-Ghariani's intervention comes against a backdrop of mounting public exasperation with Libya's seemingly interminable transition period. Since Colonel Gaddafi's overthrow, the oil-rich North African nation has been beset by rival governments, repeatedly postponed elections, and a succession of interim administrations that have singularly failed to deliver stable governance. The religious leader's considerable authority within Libya's conservative society lends substantial weight to his political pronouncements, potentially mobilising public sentiment in a country where tribal, regional, and religious loyalties frequently trump institutional allegiances. However, Libya's deeply fractured security environment and entrenched regional divisions could severely hamper any coordinated mass protest movement. His call for comprehensive institutional dismantling rather than incremental reform reflects growing impatience amongst Libyans with both their political establishment and the international mediators who have overseen the troubled transition process. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Memri
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Muslim Brotherhood's Grand Mufti Of Libya, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ghariani: Egyptians, Moroccans, And Emiratis Have A Duty To Kill Israeli Tourists, Who Are Not Civilians, But Soldiers On Leave
On April 16, 2025, the Muslim Brotherhood's Grand Mufti of Libya, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ghariani, condemned Arab countries like Egypt, Morocco, and the UAE for welcoming Israeli soldiers on leave for Passover as tourists, in a video posted on X. In the video, Al-Ghariani called on Muslims in Egypt and Morocco to kill Israeli soldiers vacationing in these countries during the holiday. He claimed that Israeli soldiers are "blood-shedding murderers" and not civilian tourists. Sadiq Al-Ghariani: "Unfortunately, Arab and Islamic countries, like Egypt, Morocco, and UAE, welcome Zionist tourists, whose hands are soiled with blood. [...] Al-Ghariani: "They are on leave [from the army] these days, during the Passover holiday, and crossed from Eilat to Egypt, through the Taba Border Crossing. They entered Egypt safely. They were welcomed in luxury hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh and elsewhere in Sinai. Similarly, tens of thousands were welcomed in Morocco, even though they are Zionist soldiers whose hands are soiled with their brothers' blood. The Egyptians have a duty to kill them. The Moroccans have a duty to kill them. This is their duty because these are blood-shedding murderers, not civilian tourists."
