Mohamed Aoun, the Minister of Oil and Gas in Libya’s interim Government of National Unity, has called on Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah to either restore his full authority in the ministry or formally dismiss him in accordance with existing national laws and regulations.
In a statement issued to the Libyan public on Thursday and posted on the Ministry of Oil and Gas’s Facebook page, Aoun detailed the circumstances surrounding his provisional suspension on March 25, his reinstatement by the Administrative Control Authority on May 12, and his professional achievements in the oil and gas sector.
Welcoming Aoun’s Return
Aoun highlighted that his return to the Ministry of Oil and Gas on May 28 was widely welcomed both domestically and internationally. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister’s office for blocking communication, including ignoring calls, rejecting correspondence, and refusing to schedule appointments with Dbeibah. Aoun criticized this conduct as highly inappropriate for governmental operations.
Rejecting the Role of a Minister without a Ministry
Aoun also condemned actions by the acting head of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, describing them as obstructive and chaotic. These actions included issuing official stamps in the minister’s name, nullifying secondments and transfers of ministry staff, and relocating general directors’ offices from the ministry to the National Oil Corporation.
Refusing to serve as a “minister without a ministry” or be dismissed without legal grounds, Aoun emphasized his significant contributions to the oil and gas sector, including safeguarding national wealth and recovering previously unclaimed funds. He suggested his removal was due to his firm stance on national interests and adherence to Libyan laws and regulations. Aoun pointed to his role in reclaiming 10.6 billion dinars owed by foreign oil companies as evidence of his effective leadership.
In conclusion, Aoun urged Dbeibah to make a clear decision: either rectify the situation or issue a formal decree dismissing him from his position as Minister of Oil and Gas in compliance with current laws and regulations.