Civil disobedience paralyzes banking operations at Libya’s Central Bank.

Civil disobedience paralyzes banking operations at Libya’s Central Bank.

On Wednesday, steps of civil disobedience continued in Libya with the ongoing closure of the Banking Operations Department of the Central Bank of Libya in the Dahra area of the capital, Tripoli, as part of protests demanding the dissolution of the Government of National Unity headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, amid the electricity outage crisis and the deterioration of services and living conditions.

The continued closure of the department’s headquarters led to a halt in receiving visitors and disrupted the completion of several banking transactions linked to the department, as users await the resumption of work and a return to normal activity after completing the necessary procedures.

Several sites and institutions remained closed, while protesters closed a number of facilities using earth berms, in a new escalation of the protest movement witnessed in various regions of the country.

The continuation of the civil disobedience comes amid rising public anger due to repeated power outages, along with what protesters describe as the deterioration of public services, amid calls for political changes and for those in charge to take responsibility for the current situation.

Libya

Libya is a country in North Africa with a rich history including Phoenician, Roman, and Ottoman civilizations. Its capital, Tripoli, hosts important archaeological sites, such as the ancient city of Leptis Magna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over the centuries, Libya has been a strategic point on trade routes and has experienced periods of colonial influence, especially under Italian rule in the 20th century.

Central Bank of Libya

The Central Bank of Libya is the main financial institution in Libya, established in 1956 to manage monetary policy and issue currency. Its headquarters is located in the capital, Tripoli, and it has played a pivotal role in the Libyan economy during periods of stability and conflict, especially after the 2011 revolution. The bank faced significant challenges due to political division, having two competing branches in the East and West before they were recently unified.

Dahra Area

The Dahra area is a historic district located in the old city of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, characterized by its unique traditional architecture dating back centuries. This area was an important commercial and cultural center during Islamic times, housing many ancient mosques and traditional markets. Today, Dahra is a prominent tourist destination reflecting Yemen’s rich heritage.

Tripoli

Tripoli is the capital of Libya and its largest city, located on the Mediterranean coast. Its history dates back to ancient times, when it was founded by the Phoenicians under the name “Oea,” later becoming an important Roman colony. The city is known for its historical landmarks such as the old city and the Red Castle, reflecting the influences of the various civilizations that ruled it.