By Sami Zaptia.
London, 2 August 2016:
The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has today revealed that there were 56 different types of attacks on banks in Libya between 2012 and 2016. The 56 attacks were carried out against branches of 11 different Libyan banks across the country.
Ironically, the CBL revelation came on a day when there were clashes in front of Al-Waha bank in Ghut Shaal, Tripoli. Early reports say that the clashes involved three militias. A delivery of cash was being made to the bank when an unnamed militia tried to steal it.
Clashes erupted when the nominally state recognized Nawasi brigade, which is retained by the bank for security, tried to stop them. Then another militia from Abu Sleem arrived and joined the action, but it is not known on whose side. There are reports of some of the fighters being wounded.
The attacks revealed by the CBL today since 2012, ranged from armed robbery, kidnapping of staff, armed threats within banks, destruction of bank property, armed blockades against banks, armed attacks on money transport vans as well as murder at banks.
The CBL said that the lack of security and the exceptional circumstances that the country is going through were some of the reasons that contributed to the bank cash crisis. Moreover, despite these circumstances, the CBL said that banks were still operating and within guidelines set by the CBL.
