Just a day after Libya was forced, once again, to reduce oil production from its largest field, Sharara, over protests, the Tripoli-based Libyan Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the arrest of the country’s oil minister on corruption charges, according to Libyan media reports. An arrest warrant was ordered on Wednesday for Oil Minister Khalifa Abdul-Sadiq on charges of corruption in connection to a reported 600,000 euros used “for the benefit of a foreign company”, according to the Libya Observer, citing the arrest order. The post of oil minister in LIbya has been embroiled in controversy for months, and for all intents and purposes, Libya has had dueling oil ministers since March. In May, Oun was cleared of wrongdoing, the investigation was wrapped up, and he was officially presumed fit to maintain his position as oil minister. Now, with Abdul-Sadiq under arrest, it remains unclear whether the country still has an oil minister, and whether Oun will also be replaced.

Source: Libya Today August 08, 2024 13:39 UTC