The Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) affiliated to the interim government in Benghazi called on the Attorney-General Tuesday to open an investigation into leaked information about the alleged transfer of funds from the LIA’s banking accounts in Belgium to unknown accounts.
In an official statement, the LIA said it in fact does not control its banking accounts and all Libyan investments were entirely accessible by the Tripoli-based LIA, describing it as an “illegitimate authority.”
The LIA in Benghazi demanded the Attorney-General to contact the Belgian counterpart to uncover the “systematic” looting of Libyan assets.
Earlier, the LIA refuted media reports that some of Libya’s frozen assets in Belgium have vanished, describing the reports as allegations.
The LIA said in a statement there is no evidence supporting the claim that frozen assets in Belgium were used to fund militias, adding that the latest report of U.N. panel of experts on Libya did not mention such violation by the LIA.
The LIA said it is ready to cooperate with the U.N. and the concerned local authorities to guarantee the Libyan assets are being protected as per U.N. resolutions.
“The LIA wishes to make it clear that it denies any wrongdoing, and emphasizes there is no evidence whatsoever any funds have been used to finance armed groups,” the LIA said.
It added that it was investigating into these allegations and is committed to working with the U.N. and all relevant national regulators to ensure that its assets are administered in line with the U.N. sanctions regime.
The statement of LIA came in response to reports claiming that Belgian banks paid out interest and dividends on accounts frozen under U.N. sanctions in 2011.
Belgian RTBF broadcaster said up to €5 billion ($5.7 billion) could have been disbursed to people controlling Libyan accounts, including militia groups.
Questions about Belgium’s application of the UN sanctions against Libya began in February after investigations revealed that €16 billion of Libyan assets were supposed to have been frozen in Belgium.
