TRIPOLI // Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) and central bank in Tripoli say they have agreed to work together to tackle urgent economic problems in 2017, creating a potential lifeline for the United Nations-backed administration.
The government has struggled to extend its authority since arriving in Tripoli in March, hampered by its lack of control over public finances.
The GNA was created to reconcile rival governments set up in Tripoli and the east of Libya in 2014 and to end a conflict between their armed supporters, but it has faced resistance from various factions.
The central bank has been reluctant to release public funding before the GNA wins endorsement from Libya’s eastern-based parliament, which it has so far failed to obtain.
With no hope of parliamentary approval for budgets, the GNA has been forced to seek instalments of emergency funding.
There have also been disagreements over how to tackle problems including a liquidity crisis, inflation, a widening black-market exchange rate premium and a huge public deficit.
The GNA said on Friday that after meetings with the central bank, the audit bureau and the National Oil Corporation (NOC), 37 billion Libyan dinars (Dh94.4bn) of public spending had been agreed for 2017.
That includes 20.7 billion dinars to cover public salaries and 6.3 billion dinars for basic public goods and services and fuel subsidies.
“It was agreed to start taking a number of operational steps that can contribute to meeting essential and basic needs, to reduce the suffering of citizens and restore confidence in the banking sector to provide liquidity,” the central bank said in a separate statement released on Thursday.
“The Central Bank of Libya hopes that this will mark the beginning of a breakthrough in the crisis, and that all parties implement the necessary measures in a timely manner, within law and with transparency.”
The GNA faces huge challenges in Tripoli, where real power is held by a patchwork of militias with shifting allegiances, and where the self-declared government it tried to replace has been attempting to make a comeback.
The GNA is also opposed by eastern power brokers allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar, who has made territorial gains in eastern and central Libya this year and threatened to move on Tripoli.
Breakaway branches of the central bank and the NOC continue to operate in the east, though they have no control over the oil sales and revenues on which Libya is almost entirely dependent.
Oil production is still far below the 1.6 million barrels per day Libya was producing before its 2011 uprising, but since September output has more than doubled to more than 600,000 bpd. It is expected to rise further after the lifting of a two-year blockade on major western pipelines earlier this month.
* Reuters
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)