Libyan PM dismisses Oil Minister Mohammed Oun amid legal disputes

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah officially circulated a decision to dismiss Mohammed Oun from his role as Minister of Oil and Gas to the Energy Council (the Ministry of Oil, and the National Oil Corporation).

In response, Oun issued a public statement on November 28, asserting that the dismissal was invalid. He revealed that the decision was originally issued on June 6, 2024, but was only circulated on November 21. Oun also highlighted two rulings by the Tripoli Court of Appeal that nullified the assignment of the Ministry’s Undersecretary to manage the Ministry’s affairs.

Oun accused the Prime Minister of ignoring judicial decisions, describing the dismissal as “personal revenge and abuse of power.” He firmly denied any allegations of financial or administrative corruption.

The controversy dates back to March, when the Administrative Control Authority suspended Oun as a precaution during an investigation. During this period, Dbeibah appointed Khalifa Abdul Sadiq, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, to oversee the Ministry’s duties.

In May, the Control Authority lifted Oun’s suspension, and he resumed his role as Minister of Oil. However, despite this, Dbeibah informed OPEC that Khalifa Abdul Sadiq would continue as Acting Minister of Oil and Gas, effectively sidelining Oun.
This ongoing dispute underscores tensions within Libya’s government, with legal challenges and accusations complicating the management of the country’s vital oil sector.