Libya: HoR Energy Committee warns against replacement of NOC board of directors

The Energy Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) has cautioned against any step that could obstruct the work of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and called for keeping the company away from the ongoing political strife and conflicts, reports say.

The reaction came few days after Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah agreed to discuss the proposal of the Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohamed Aoun, to revamp the board of directors of the company.

Dbeibeh had demanded that Aoun present candidates to lead the company and replace Mustapha Sanalla.

The Energy Committee argued that the move would disturb the flow of oil and its production, and could harm the public interests, especially in light of the political division, underscoring that it would not recognize any “hasty decisions”.

It called also on the NOC to take the necessary measures to transfer its headquarters to Benghazi.

The strife between Oil Minister Aoun and Sanalla has been going on for years, Aoun complaining that the NOC chief refuses to release information to the oil ministry has instructed the heads of the company’s subsidiaries to not share data with the Oil Ministry.
In August 2021, Aoun suspended Sanalla, referred him to administrative investigation and appointed his temporary replacement. Sanalla refused to move, and his replacement refused to take over this position anyway.

In October 2021, Aoun again suspended Sanalla and referred him to administrative investigation.

In September Prime Minister Dbeibeh held a meeting with Aoun and Sanalla after the major public fallout between the two. However, after administering what seemed like a slap on the wrists, Dbeibeh took no further action. Both men kept their posts.