Friday, December 19, 2025, trading on the parallel market concluded with a new high for the US dollar against the Libyan dinar, closing in Tripoli at 8.505 dinars.
In Zliten, the closing price reached 8.515 dinars, while in Benghazi and Ajdabiya it was recorded at 8.515 dinars, reflecting a continued slight disparity between cities with a general upward trend.
As for other foreign currencies, the euro rose to 9.78 dinars, and the British pound stabilized at a high of 11.05 dinars.
In the precious metals market, the gram of 18-karat broken gold continued its climb, reaching 858 dinars. Meanwhile, foreign remittance prices remained close to the cash rate, with the dollar remittance rate to Turkey at 8.50 dinars and to Dubai at 8.495 dinars.
Despite interventions by the Central Bank of Libya, which injected over $2 billion through credits and personal purposes since the beginning of the month, in addition to distributing 4 billion dinars in liquidity to banks, the parallel market continues to show clear pressure and consecutive increases.
These movements coincide with the Central Bank of Libya governor’s request to the head of the Government of National Unity to direct the Ministry of Economy to issue a decision prohibiting imports without a bank transfer starting in 2026, alongside addressing security agencies to close unlicensed exchange offices.
📊 Market Movement Implications:
- The parallel market tends towards a sustained upward trend despite central bank interventions.
- The rise of the euro and sterling reflects general pressure on the dinar, not just the dollar, and gold continues to rise as a safe haven, indicating growing concerns among traders.
- The central bank’s moves towards tightening import and exchange oversight could lead to a new wave of volatility at the start of 2026.
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 1944.
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.
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 center, the medina, features ancient architecture like the Arch of Marcus Aurelius and the Red Castle (Assai al-Hamra).
Zliten
Zliten is a coastal city in northwestern Libya, historically known for its Roman-era ruins and as a center of Islamic learning. It is particularly famous for the Zliten Mosaic, a well-preserved Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1913-1914 that dates back to around the 2nd century AD. The city also contains the historic Zawiya of Sidi Abd as-Salam al-Asmar, a 15th-century religious school and mosque that was a key institution for the spread of the Sufi Sanusiyya order.
Benghazi
Benghazi is a major city in eastern Libya, historically significant as a center of trade and culture since its founding as the Greek colony of Euesperides. It played a pivotal role in the 2011 Libyan Civil War as a key base for the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.
Ajdabiya
Ajdabiya is a city in northeastern Libya, historically significant as a major trading hub and crossroads for caravans traveling between the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara. It gained modern prominence during the 2011 Libyan Civil War as a key strategic location contested by rebel and government forces.
euro
The Euro is the official currency of the European Union, used by 20 of its member states which form the Eurozone. It was introduced in non-cash form in 1999 and as physical banknotes and coins in 2002, aiming to foster economic integration and stability across Europe.
British pound
The British pound, officially known as pound sterling, is the world’s oldest currency still in use, with origins tracing back over 1,200 years to Anglo-Saxon times. It was historically based on a system of pounds, shillings, and pence until decimalisation in 1971, and it remains the official currency of the United Kingdom.
gold
Gold is a chemical element (Au) and precious metal that has been highly valued across human cultures for millennia, used for coinage, jewelry, and art. Its history is deeply tied to economics and exploration, notably driving events like the 19th-century gold rushes in California and Australia. Today, it remains a major store of value and a key material in electronics and other industries.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the ancient ruins of Ephesus, reflecting layers of Greek, Roman, and Islamic heritage.
Dubai
Dubai is a major global city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, historically known as a small fishing and pearling village. Its modern transformation began with the discovery of oil in the 1960s, but it has since strategically diversified its economy into tourism, finance, and trade, becoming famous for its ultramodern architecture and luxury shopping.
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, with parallel institutions emerging in the east and west during the post-2011 civil conflict.
Government of National Unity
The Government of National Unity (GNU) is a term most notably associated with the post-apartheid transitional government in South Africa, established in 1994 following the country’s first multiracial elections. It was a coalition government led by Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) and included its former political rivals, the National Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party, to foster reconciliation and stability.
Ministry of Economy
The Ministry of Economy is a government department responsible for formulating and implementing national economic policy. Its history is tied to the development of the modern state, with such ministries typically being established or significantly reformed during periods of industrialization or major economic restructuring to guide fiscal, trade, and industrial strategies.
