صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
My press – international follow-up
The public expenditure file returned inLibya EIt is at the forefront of international debate, in light of the continuing division between two competing authorities, in conjunction with recent data indicating that fuel smuggling has turned into an unofficial financial leverage that affects the balance of the country’s political and economic scene.
A new report by the “International Crisis Group” within the “Crisis Monitor 2026” issue revealed that fuel smuggling revenues may reach between 6 and 7 billion dollars annually, which are used – according to estimates – to finance administrative expenses, pay wages, and strengthen networks of influence with parties in eastern and western Libya.Temporary stability at a high cost
The report believes that these irregular resources contribute to maintaining a state of “relative stability” since 2020, through indirect sharing of oil revenues and ignoring parallel financial activities, but this situation burdens public finances and limits opportunities for economic reform.
He also pointed out that part of these operations is based on purchasing fuel for
International market pricesThen sell it internally at subsidized prices, before re-exporting it illegally, creating huge profits outside official frameworks.A direct impact on the path of unification
According to the same source, the impact of this “parallel economy” is not limited to the financial aspect, but rather extends to disrupting efforts to unify institutions, by reducing political incentives to end the division, as well as weakening international initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis.
In the absence of official responses to the report, the Libyan Public Prosecution previously spoke of organized networks active in fuel smuggling, while previous UN reports pointed to the presence of entities operating outside legal frameworks in the energy sector.
Different numbers and large losses
Estimates vary regarding the volume of money in circulation, with some readings indicating billions of dollars annually in recent years, compared to lower estimates issued by official bodies, which reflects the difficulty of controlling this illegal activity.
International moves to strengthen oversight
In the same context, the report stated that during March 2025, the European Union expanded the scope of the “IRINI” maritime mission to include tracking illegal activities related to oil and its derivatives, in a step aimed at reducing smuggling networks.
Washington is pressing towards unifying public finances
In parallel, the head of the Libyan Audit Bureau, Khaled Shakshak, discussed with the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy, Jeremy Brent, ways to unify and rationalize spending policies, while emphasizing the need to enhance transparency in contracts related to the energy sector, and tighten control over the supply of fuel.
This move comes at a time when Central Bank data indicate that the volume of dual public spending during 2024 amounted to about 224 billion dinars, in light of the continuing controversy over what is known as “parallel spending.”
Pending agreements and postponed reform
Despite the signing of the “Unified Development Program” agreement between legislative institutions in November 2025, with the aim of controlling financial policy and unifying exchange channels, its implementation is still faltering, which keeps the Libyan economy in a cycle of pressures and tensions.
Source:
“My press““
