The Ministry of Oil and Gas in the Libyan National Unity Government, which has ended its term, announced the return of Minister Mohamed Aoun to assume his duties in the Ministry’s office after stopping for more than two months.
The Ministry’s statement stated that Resolution No. 492 of 2024 was issued to lift the precautionary suspension on him, after the investigations were completed and the government was notified of this decision.
Media sources confirmed that the administrative oversight lifted the precautionary suspension on May 12, and Aoun began his work today, for reasons related to some administrative procedures in the National Unity Government, which has expired.
On March 25, the head of the Administrative Control Authority, Abdullah Qadrouh, decided to suspend Minister Aoun from work for reasons related to the investigation, which sparked widespread controversy, as 53 members of the State Council and the Oil Syndicate demanded the cancellation of the decision, describing it as “a suspicious and unjust measure.”
Commenting on this development, the American website S&P Global Platts stated that the decision to dismiss Aoun was of a political nature, noting that the Libyan oil sector has become a major arena for political conflict, as oil represents 95% of government revenues.
The French website “Africa Intelligence” described the relationship between Aoun and Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh , Prime Minister of the Unity Government, as frosty, and pointed to the ongoing disagreements between them over oil projects, including Aoun’s opposition to signing a memorandum with Turkey to explore for hydrocarbons in Libyan waters.
Signing a memorandum of understanding between Egypt and Libya to expand a railway line at a cost of $23 billion