Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Libya's new govt-appointed NOC chief says no change to company status

FILE PHOTO: Farhat Bengdara, newly appointed as chairman of the Libyan state National Oil Corporation (NOC), looks on during a news conference in Tripoli, Libya July 14, 2022. REUTERS/Hazem Ahmed

Farhat Bengdara, who was declared chairman of Libya's National Oil Corp last week by the Government of National Unity in Tripoli, said his appointment did not change the company's legal position after its validity was challenged.

"I am aware that questions have been raised over the legal basis for my appointment. The Libyan government has the right to appoint the chairman and the board of NOC. I was formally appointed as chairman by the Government of National Unity," he said.

"The GNU's decision to appoint me as NOC chairman does not represent any change in the legal position of the NOC or in its relationship with the government," he added.

Libya's eastern-based parliament, which does not recognise the GNU, has said that Mustafa Sanalla remains NOC's legitimate chairman. Sanalla has said he will challenge Bengdara's appointment in court.

The parliament's decision in March to appoint a new government under Fathi Bashagha has left Libya in a political stalemate, but the GNU and its prime minister, Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, still control the levers of government in Tripoli.

Analysts say Bengdara is seen as close to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, long an ally of the eastern-based parliament. They say Dbeibah's appointment of Bengdara may represent an effort to court Haftar's support for the GNU.

Bengdara, a former central bank governor, said that under his leadership, NOC will seek new relationships with international investors to facilitate increased energy production.

The company will also make changes to its governance structures and management to make it more efficient, and will develop offshore natural gas reserves, Bengdara said in a statement.

(Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and David Evans)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.