Libya central bank governor fired over ‘irregularities’

The new parliament in Libya, where rival administrations are vying for power, announced Sunday the dismissal of central bank governor Seddik al-Kabir following allegations of financial irregularities.

“The governor was summoned to appear before parliament after allegations of financial irregularities. Mr Kabir did not appear so MPs voted to have him dismissed,” Fradj Abu Hashem, spokesman for Libya’s internationally recognized parliament, told AFP.

The case was being referred to the prosecutor general, and deputy governor Ali al-Hebri would take over as interim central bank chief.

A main reason for Kabir’s dismissal was his absence from Libya, said Abu Hashem, adding that he had been running the central bank from Malta.

On Sunday, Kabir was in Algiers chairing a meeting of Arab central bank governors, according to the Libyan bank’s website.

A central bank source said the case was linked to controversy over payments made to MPs who won a June 25 election that were ordered by Hebri but without Kabir being consulted.

Oil-rich Libya, where instability has been rife since its 2011 revolution which ousted longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi, has for the past month had two parliaments and two governments, both claiming legitimacy.