Libya: hullabaloo over NOC Chief’s citizenship, Appeal Court issues ruling

The Tripoli Court of Appeal has issued a final ruling confirming that Farhat Bengdara, Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), holds citizenship of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The court’s decision annulled all actions and decisions taken by Bengdara in his capacity as NOC Chairman, citing a violation of Libya’s Citizenship Law No. 24 of 2010.

The ruling emphasized that acquiring foreign nationality without adhering to legal procedures results in the loss of Libyan citizenship. This disqualifies individuals from holding public office, particularly sovereign positions that demand exclusive loyalty to the state. The court declared Bengdara’s appointment and actions in office as invalid, describing his tenure as a “usurpation of power.”

The case presented conclusive evidence, including official documents proving Bengdara’s Emirati citizenship. The court noted that these documents were not contested by the relevant authorities, strengthening the plaintiff’s claims.

The NOC responded to the ruling by denying the allegations, stating that the matter had been misrepresented on social media. According to an official statement on the corporation’s Facebook page, the case actually involved an appeal to reverse an employee transfer decision, with the court ruling to reinstate the employee to his former position. The NOC claimed there was no mention of Bengdara’s alleged Emirati citizenship in the court’s decision and announced that Bengdara had filed a defamation complaint against the plaintiff and their lawyer for making “false claims.”