Libya's eastern-based parliament voted on November 2, 2026, to confirm Fawzi Abukhuzam as central bank governor, approval passing by 78 votes to accept Naji Issa's resignation. The appointment unfolds against Libya's long-standing partition between Tripoli's UN-recognized Government of National Unity and Benghazi's eastern administration. Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah met with Abukhuzam on Monday to discuss strategies for stabilizing the Libyan dinar exchange rate.
Parliament vote appointing Fawzi Abukhuzam
- ▪Eastern parliament spokesperson Abdullah Bliheg reported that 78 of the 90 members present voted on November 2, 2026, to appoint Fawzi Abukhuzam as Central Bank of Libya governor after accepting Naji Issa's resignation.
- ▪The eastern Libyan parliament held its, session confirming Fawzi Abukhuzam according to second deputy speaker Musbah Doma
Resignation of Naji Issa
- ▪Libya's parliament initially rejected central bank governor Naji Issa's August 2026 resignation request before announcing in October 2026 that it had accepted it.
- ▪Naji Issa had taken office as Central Bank of Libya governor in 2024 following an agreement between parliament and the High Council of State, before submitting his resignation in August 2026.
Central bank headquarters incident and transition
- ▪In October 2026, the Central Bank of Libya reported a forced entry into its Tripoli headquarters in the governor's absence, initially holding the Ministry of Defence responsible.
- ▪The Central Bank of Libya subsequently retracted its forced entry statement, announcing Fawzi Abukhuzam had assumed leadership in a handover attended by representatives of both legislative chambers.
Political division in Libya
- ▪Military commander Khalifa Haftar backs the rival eastern Libyan administration based in Benghazi, where parliament sits under his control.
- ▪Since 2014, Libya has been divided between the internationally recognized Government of National Unity led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah in Tripoli and a rival eastern administration under Osama Hamad in Benghazi.
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