Libya’s currency market saw a slight decline in the exchange rate of the US dollar against bank checks as trading closed on Thursday, February 5, 2026, dropping by about 8 qirsh compared to the previous close. This occurred despite the continued upward trend the market has been experiencing since the recent decisions issued by the Central Bank of Libya.
Despite this limited decline, the dollar maintained its position above the 10 dinar level in most banks, with a slight price difference persisting between banks in Tripoli and Benghazi.
📊 Dollar Prices in Bank Checks at Market Close
Trading monitoring showed a slight variation between banks in different Libyan cities. The prices were as follows:
| Bank | Selling Price (Dinar) | Purchase Price (Dinar) |
|---|---|---|
| Commerce & Development / Al-Wahda (Tripoli) | 10.540 | 10.5375 |
| Development / Al-Wahda (Benghazi) | 10.530 | 10.5275 |
| Al-Jumhouria / National Commercial / Al-Aman | 10.530 | 10.5275 |
| Al-Sahari / Al-Waha / Islamic / North Africa | 10.520 | 10.5175 |
| Al-Muttahid / Al-Nouran / Al-Saray | 10.510 | 10.5075 |
This movement in the parallel market coincides with the announcement by the Central Bank of Libya of a devaluation of the Libyan dinar by 14.7% against the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) unit. The dinar’s value is now 0.1150 SDR units instead of 0.1348 units. The new official exchange rate is set at approximately 6.40 dinars per US dollar.
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans, followed by centuries of Arab and Ottoman influence. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later becoming known for Muammar Gaddafi’s lengthy rule from 1969 until the 2011 revolution. Its cultural heritage includes UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the ancient Greek city of Cyrene and the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna.
US dollar
The US dollar is the official currency of the United States, established by the Coinage Act of 1792. It evolved from a system based on Spanish milled dollars and has become the world’s primary reserve currency since the Bretton Woods agreement in the mid-20th century.
Central Bank of Libya
The Central Bank of Libya is the country’s primary monetary authority, established in 1956 to issue currency and manage monetary policy. It has played a critical and often divisive role in Libya’s recent history, notably functioning as a unified financial institution during the post-2011 civil war period despite the country’s political fragmentation.
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, located on the country’s Mediterranean coast. Historically, it was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and has since been ruled by the Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and Italians, serving as a major port and cultural crossroads. Its historic core, the medina of Old Tripoli, contains significant architecture from these various periods.
Benghazi
Benghazi is a major city in eastern Libya, historically significant as a center of trade and culture since its founding as the ancient Greek colony of Euesperides. It played a pivotal role in the 2011 Libyan Revolution and served as the provisional capital of the National Transitional Council during that conflict.
Commerce & Development / Al-Wahda
Al-Wahda is a commercial and development project typically found in various Arab cities, often centered around a major mall or complex. Its history is generally tied to modern urban development initiatives aimed at boosting local commerce and infrastructure, with specific timelines varying by location. These sites serve as key hubs for shopping, business, and community activities within their regions.
Development / Al-Wahda
The Al-Wahda Dam, also known as the Unity Dam, is a major hydroelectric dam on the Yarmouk River, forming part of the border between Jordan and Syria. Its construction, completed in 2011, was a landmark project of cooperation between the two countries aimed at managing water resources and generating electricity. The dam’s history is tied to long-term regional water-sharing agreements and negotiations dating back to the mid-20th century.
Al-Jumhouria
Al-Jumhouria is a major daily newspaper in Syria, founded in 1963 and owned by the Syrian government. It serves as an official media outlet, reflecting state perspectives on domestic and international affairs. The publication’s history is closely tied to the ruling Ba’ath Party and its role in Syrian public discourse.
National Commercial
The National Commercial is a historic bank in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1953 as the first licensed commercial bank in the kingdom. It played a pivotal role in the country’s early financial development and modernization before merging with Samba Financial Group in 2021 to form Saudi National Bank.
Al-Aman
Al-Aman is a historic palace located in Amman, Jordan, originally built in the early 20th century as a residence for the Sharifian family. It later served as a royal guesthouse and is noted for its distinctive architecture blending local and Ottoman influences. Today, it stands as a cultural landmark within the Royal Court compound.
Al-Sahari
Al-Sahari is a traditional open-air market, or souq, located in the historic city of Marib, Yemen. It has served for centuries as a vital trading hub for frankincense, myrrh, and other goods along the ancient Incense Route. The market reflects the region’s long history as a center of commerce and cultural exchange in the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Waha
Al-Waha, meaning “The Oasis” in Arabic, is a historical region and cultural site in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, historically vital as a fertile stop on ancient trade and pilgrimage routes. It is centered around the city of Al-Hasa, one of the world’s largest oases, with a history of continuous human settlement for thousands of years. The area is renowned for its vast date palm groves and traditional irrigation systems (Aflaj), reflecting a deep cultural heritage tied to desert agriculture and trade.
Islamic
“Islamic” is not a specific place or cultural site, but refers to the religion of Islam and its associated civilization. The history of Islamic culture encompasses over 1,400 years, beginning in 7th-century Arabia with the revelations to the Prophet Muhammad, and has since produced a vast array of architectural, artistic, and scholarly traditions across the globe. Notable cultural sites include mosques, madrasas, and palaces, such as the Alhambra in Spain or the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which reflect the diverse historical and regional developments within the Islamic world.
North Africa
North Africa is a region encompassing countries along the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert, historically home to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Numidians. It has been profoundly shaped by successive influences, including Roman rule, the spread of Islam and Arab culture, and periods of Ottoman and European colonialism. This complex history has created a diverse cultural landscape with rich traditions in architecture, cuisine, and language.
Al-Muttahid
“Al-Muttahid” is a major public square in the city of Tripoli, Libya, historically known as Green Square. It was renamed after the 2011 revolution, with “Al-Muttahid” meaning “The United,” symbolizing national unity. The site has long been a central gathering place for public events and political demonstrations throughout Libya’s modern history.
Al-Nouran
Al-Nouran is a prominent mosque and Islamic cultural center located in the city of Gaza. It was historically established during the Mamluk period in the 14th century and has since served as a key religious and community hub. The site is noted for its distinctive architectural features, including an ancient minaret.
Al-Saray
Al-Saray is a historic palace and government complex located in the heart of Baghdad, Iraq, originally constructed in the Abbasid era. It served as a central administrative headquarters during the Ottoman period and was later used by the British mandate and the Iraqi monarchy. The site remains a significant landmark, though it has suffered damage from conflicts over the centuries.
Libyan dinar
The Libyan dinar is the official currency of Libya, introduced in 1971 to replace the Libyan pound. Its issuance is managed by the Central Bank of Libya, and its history is closely tied to the country’s political and economic changes, particularly following the discovery of oil.
Special Drawing Rights
Special Drawing Rights (SDR) is an international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves. Its value is based on a basket of five major currencies: the U.S. dollar, euro, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling.
