Fuel smuggling operations involving state and foreign actors have escalated into a “major national crisis” in Libya, costing the state more than $20bn in lost revenue between 2022 and 2024, according to a new report by investigative and policy organization The Sentry.
Published on 13 November, the report claims that while fuel smuggling is not new in Libya (MEES, 6 October 2023), the worsening crisis reached “unprecedented levels” during the tenure of former NOC chief Farhat Bengdara, who led the state firm from July 2022 (MEES, 15 July 2022) until his controversial departure early this year (MEES, 31 January). Officially he resigned on health grounds, although this is widely disputed. (CONTINUED - 2916 WORDS)
