Militia leaders and their political allies continue to siphon oil revenues, overriding timid reform attempts
Oil production, the lifeblood of Libya’s economy, is nearing 1.4 million barrels a day; a substantial hike but still 200,000 b/d below target. Political manoeuvring and rampant corruption in the industry are hindering a broader recovery, inflicting hardship on citizens across the country. Despite serial development plans and international trade agreements, the country’s political institutions remain fractured between the misnamed Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the House of Representatives in Benghazi and closed to outsiders.