Libyan Investment Authority

The LIA was established in August 2006 to manage Libya's mounting oil revenue surplus and is headquartered in Tripoli. The LIA main subsidiaries consist of the Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO),{{Cite web |title=K2 Intelligence FIN – The Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) and Gaddafi’s frozen legacy |url=https://www.investafrica.com/insights-/member-case-study-k2-intelligence-fin-the-libyan-investment-authority-lia-and-gaddafis-frozen-legacy |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Invest Africa |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2018-02-26 |title=Libya's sovereign wealth scandal: An opaque and secretive operation that mimics the country's divided politics |url=https://www.newarab.com/analysis/libyas-sovereign-wealth-scandal-mirroring-countrys-divided-politics |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=New Arab}} established in 1982, Oilinvest,{{Cite web |last=El-Assasy |first=Ahmad |date=2024-01-24 |title=Libya’s NOC Awards $2 Billion Pipeline Project to “Oilinvest” |url=https://libyareview.com/41182/libyas-noc-awards-2-billion-pipeline-project-to-oilinvest/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=LibyaReview |language=en-US}} founded in 1988, as well as the Libyan Africa Investment Portfolio,{{Cite web |date=2023-04-11 |title=Will the Real Sovereign Wealth Fund Please Stand Up? How Civil War Undermined the Hunt for Libyan Assets |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/investigation/will-the-real-sovereign-wealth-fund-please-stand-up-how-civil-war-undermined-the-hunt-for-libyan-assets |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=OCCRP}}{{Cite web |last=Zaptia |first=Sami |date=2022-05-24 |title=Libya Africa Portfolio wins supreme court final judgement in Germany to recover US$ 16 million |url=https://libyaherald.com/2022/05/libya-africa-portfolio-wins-supreme-court-final-judgement-in-germany-to-recover-us-16-million/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=LibyaHerald |language=en-US}} the Libyan Internal Investment and Development Fund{{Cite web |title=LIDF Overview |url=https://lia.ly/mahupam/2021/07/lidf.jpeg |website=Libyan Investment Authority}}{{Cite web |date= |title=Libya Financial Sector Review |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099920112202126453/pdf/P14682801453e50fb0b14e05efabb080edc.pdf |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Worldbank}} and the Long-Term Investment Portfolio. The LIA mandate based on Law 13 of 2010 to the board of directors is to preserve, protect and grow the sovereign wealth investments.

The LIA is overseen by the Libyan Government and is managed within governance processes, accountable to that government.

The Board of Trustees {{Cite web |title=LIA Governance |url=http://www.youm7.com/story/2016/2/15/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9--%D8%AA/2585251 |publisher=Al Youm Al Sabe'e Newspaper (Egypt) |access-date=2016-04-25 |archive-date=2016-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505103240/http://www.youm7.com/story/2016/2/15/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9--%D8%AA/2585251 |url-status=live }} of LIA is:

• Mr. Abduhamid Debiba, Chairman – Prime Minister (Government of National unity)
• Mr. Saddek Elkaber, Member – Central Bank Governor
• Member – Minister of Finance
• Member - Minister of Planning
• Minister of Economy and Industry

Previous Chairmen include [https://lia.ly/en/our-governance/board-of-directors/ Ali M Hassen Mohammed], the LIA's current chairman.

The Steering Committee is composed of five members, including the chairman. The current Steering Committee Members are:{{Cite web |date=16 August 2016 |title=Presidency Council-GNA appoints steering committee to run the LIA |url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/08/16/presidency-councilgna-appoints-steering-committee-to-run-the-lia |publisher=Libya Herald |access-date=25 August 2016 |archive-date=26 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826044558/https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/08/16/presidency-councilgna-appoints-steering-committee-to-run-the-lia/ |url-status=live }} The Steering Committee is chaired by Dr. Ali Mahmoud Hassan Mohamed. The other members are Eng. Abdulazeez Khaled Ali, Mr. Alhadi Najimeddin Kabar, Mr. Khaled Khalifa Hassan Altaher and Mr. Ahmed Abdullah Amar.

As of 2010 the LIA was embedded within democratic structures of Libya and its mandate was defined by Law 13 which became statute in 2010.{{Cite web |title=Law No. 13 of 2010 |url=http://www.lia.com.mt/en/what-is-law-13/ |publisher=Libyan Investment Authority Official Website |access-date=2015-06-17 |archive-date=2015-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617013618/http://www.lia.com.mt/en/what-is-law-13/ |url-status=live }} Law No. 13 of 2010 sets out the LIA's continuing mandate. The Libyan Investment Authority ("LIA") was established in 2006 and is regulated under Law No. 13 of 2010 ("Law No. 13"), which continues to be in full force and effect as a matter of Libyan law.

Under Law No. 13, the LIA is composed of:

a. The Board of Trustees, being the ultimate governance body with oversight and control of the LIA. The Board of Trustees comprises: the Prime Minister (as Chairman); the ministers for Planning, Finance, Economy and Trade; the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya; and a number of experts. This structure was established by Decree No. 2 of 2014, the Council of Ministers, the executive branch of the Libyan Government appointed in accordance with the governmental mandate of the elected House of Representatives.

b. The Board of Directors, being the competent body to oversee the management of the LIA (articles 10 and 11 of Law No. 13). The LIA Board of Directors is to be made up of seven members, including a chairman. They must be appointed by resolution of the board of trustees. The Board of Directors oversees three subcommittees, (Nomination & Compensation, Governance, and Audit & Risk Committee), each of which have an agreed mandate of responsibilities and undertake frequent reporting back to the board of directors. The Board of Directors frequently report to the board of trustees.

On May 29, 2007, during a visit to Muammar Gaddafi by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, British Petroleum (BP) signed a $900 million exploration and production agreement with the Libyan National Oil Corporation. The agreement, which would likely involve an estimated US$2 billion in investment, covered three massive, largely unexplored tracts. The NOC signed the agreement with the LIA as BP's 15% partner in a production sharing agreement (PSA).{{Cite web |title=BP Snares Huge Libyan Gas Fields 31 May 2005, Business Week |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/951901/bp_snares_huge_libyan_gas_fields/index.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=22 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522051237/http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/951901/bp_snares_huge_libyan_gas_fields/index.html |url-status=live }} The LIA's share in BP's PSA provided a direct conduit via which oil wealth could be recycled. However, some Libya experts believed that the presence of two state-owned companies in BP's deal reflected divisions and tensions at the executive level in Libya, particularly over who controls the oil wealth.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

During August 2007, LIA agreed to establish a Libyan-Qatari joint investment fund for $2 billion equally with the Qatar Investment Corporation (QIC). Also, the General People's Congress secretary signed two agreements in Doha in July 2007 to establish a Libyan-Qatari Bank between QIC and the Central Bank of Libya. An agreement was also signed to establish a joint company for real estate development between Al-Diar real estate investment company (Qatar) and the Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company.{{Cite web |title=Establishment of Libyan Qatari joint investment fund, 29.08.2007 Libyaninvestment.com |url=http://www.libyaninvestment.com/libya-news/2007-08-29-11-Establishment-of-Libyan-Qatari-joint-investment-fund.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130706011253/http://www.libyaninvestment.com/libya-news/2007-08-29-11-Establishment-of-Libyan-Qatari-joint-investment-fund.php |archive-date=2013-07-06 |access-date=2007-12-13}}

In July, 2008, the LIA bought a share in the Dutch-Belgian bank of Fortis, which needed additional funds to maintain solvency. The LIA did not confirm the investment, since they were not required by Dutch or Belgian law to do so. However, later that week, the Dutch Minister of Finance Wouter Bos admitted that the situation 'had his attention, as well as that of the Dutch Central Bank', considering previous Libyan involvement in international terrorism.{{Cite web |title=Zaken, Auto's, Geld, Mode, Luxury & meer |url=http://www.quotenet.nl/biz/bos_aandacht_vo.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204053015/http://www.quotenet.nl/biz/bos_aandacht_vo.php |archive-date=4 December 2008 |access-date=2 December 2016}}

Between January and June 2008, the LIA paid $1.3 billion for options on a basket of currencies and options on six stocks (Citigroup Inc., UniCredit SpA, Banco Santander, Allianz, Électricité de France and Eni SpA) via Goldman Sachs. By February 2010, the value of these investments was 0.025 billion - a 98% loss.

As of June 2010, Lafico held 7.5% of the total shares of Italian football club Juventus.{{Cite news |last=Panja |first=Tariq |date=22 February 2011 |title=Juventus Says It's Unclear on Future of Libya's Shareholding |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-02-22/juventus-says-it-s-unclear-on-future-of-libya-s-7-5-stake-in-soccer-team |access-date=2016-07-21 |archive-date=2016-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806154542/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-02-22/juventus-says-it-s-unclear-on-future-of-libya-s-7-5-stake-in-soccer-team |url-status=live }}

In June 2010 and September 2012 Internal Management Reports were leaked to the Press by sacked staff, which showed the Libyan Investment Authority had suffered much smaller losses than expected compared to the huge losses suffered by many sovereign wealth funds in the fallout of the 2008 crash.{{Cite web |title=New leaked document reveals HSBC held $1.4bn of Libyan funds - Global Witness |url=http://www.globalwitness.org/library/new-leaked-document-reveals-hsbc-held-14bn-libyan-funds |access-date=2 December 2016 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403111433/http://www.globalwitness.org/library/new-leaked-document-reveals-hsbc-held-14bn-libyan-funds |url-status=live }}

The Financial Times interviewed Gaddafi era appointees and directors of LIA, bankers who had never done business with the LIA, and former Gaddafi Libyan officials and reported more rumour and innuendo with no hard evidence generally making vague claims of mismanagement. Farhat Bengdara, a Gaddafi appointee, the former governor of the Central Bank of Libya and member of LIA's board of trustees claimed that there was a "clear lack of governance at the LIA" surprising since he been on its governance board of trustees until the revolution came. On Bengdara's recommendation Sami Rais (another Gaddafi era appointment)had been made chief executive of LIA in October 2009. Rais and Bengdara were subsequently sacked by the new governments of Libya. The accountancy firm KPMG had provided reports and audit in 2010 which showed the LIA asset position steadily improving and made no suggestions of corruption or wrongdoing by any LIA staff member.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In 2011, Ali Tarhouni, minister of financial and oil affairs for the rebel National Transitional Council, appointed Mahmoud Badi, formerly a civil servant under Gaddafi, to investigate the Libyan Investment Authority. In August 2011, Badi found "misappropriation, misuse and misconduct of funds" with $2.9 billion missing from the LIA.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14684547 Libyan sovereign wealth fund 'missing $2.9bn'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118232128/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14684547 |date=2013-01-18 }} BBC News Business, Retrieved 29 August 2011 Badi's report was the first in a series of reports by Gaddafi era technocrats claiming large losses and misconduct. Badi himself was a Gaddafi era technocrat and was removed soon after his claims were made.{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}} He now heads the Libyan Economic and Social Fund.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

As of December 2012, the Libyan Investment Authority following the Deloitte validation and evaluation report and the commitment to meeting the governance of mandate outlined in Law 13, the LIA appeared to be operating normally {{Cite news |last=Legorano |first=Giovanni |title=Libya Fund Scouts for Investments |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=12 November 2012 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323894704578115024134005616 |access-date=2 December 2016}} and no responsible investigation has demonstrated any real substantiated evidence of corruption or malfeasance.

On 29 September 2014 the Board of Trustees removed Mr Ben Yezza from his role (Resolution 7 of 29 September 2014) and appointed Mr Bouhadi as chairman (Resolution 8).{{Cite web |title=Appointment Decree |url=http://www.lia.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Resolution-8_Bouhadi.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617123101/http://www.lia.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Resolution-8_Bouhadi.pdf |archive-date=2015-06-17 |access-date=2015-06-17 |publisher=Libyan Investment Authority Official Website}}{{Cite web |title=Libyan investment chief: 'Goldman Sachs squandered a nation's wealth, someone has to answer' |date=31 May 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11641830/Libyan-investment-chief-Goldman-Sachs-squandered-a-nations-wealth-someone-has-to-answer.html |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118105017/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11641830/Libyan-investment-chief-Goldman-Sachs-squandered-a-nations-wealth-someone-has-to-answer.html |url-status=live }}

In 2014, Breish stepped down, replaced in the interim by Abdulrahman Ben Yezza, a former Libyan Minister for Oil and Gas, pending an inquiry under Libya's Political and Administrative Isolation Law (through decision No.659 of 2014), until a permanent chairman was put in place.{{Cite web |title=Court Decision in the Appeal |url=http://www.lia.ly/Muhtar_Kelbash_&_Elgharabli_(MKE)_Legal_Opinion_on_LIA_Chairman_AbdulMagid_Breish.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203073005/http://www.lia.ly/Muhtar_Kelbash_%26_Elgharabli_%28MKE%29_Legal_Opinion_on_LIA_Chairman_AbdulMagid_Breish.pdf |archive-date=2015-12-03 |website=LIA}}{{Cite web |title=Breish back at LIA? Elkaber hints at chairman's return to office |url=http://www.emergingmarkets.org/Article/3388621/Breish-back-at-LIA-Elkaber-hints-at-chairmans-return-to-office.html |publisher=Emerging Markets |access-date=2016-03-09 |archive-date=2016-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309225346/http://www.emergingmarkets.org/Article/3388621/Breish-back-at-LIA-Elkaber-hints-at-chairmans-return-to-office.html |url-status=live }}

In early 2014, Breish initiated legal proceedings on behalf of the LIA against Goldman Sachs and Société Générale S.A to recover billions of dollars lost through improper transactions done in their dealing with the LIA during the Gaddafi Regime.{{Cite news |title=How Goldman Sachs Lost $1.2 Billion of Libya's Money |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-goldman-sachs-libya/ |access-date=2016-09-01 |archive-date=2016-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929055158/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-goldman-sachs-libya/ |url-status=live }} The LIA appointed the English law firm Enyo Law to pursue litigations. Enyo law was forced to step aside in April 2015 but was re-instated in July 2015 when the English High Court approved the LIA's application to appoint BDO LLP (UK) as interim receivers and Enyo Law were reappointed as solicitors in the litigations.{{Cite web |title=Libyan Investment Fund plans $5bn of litigation |date=19 July 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11747832/Libyan-Investment-Fund-plans-5bn-of-litigation.html |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118103117/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11747832/Libyan-Investment-Fund-plans-5bn-of-litigation.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=31 March 2014 |title=SocGen facing bribery lawsuit over Libyan deals |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-societegenerale-corruption-libya-idUSBREA2T0LH20140331 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506215220/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-societegenerale-corruption-libya-idUSBREA2T0LH20140331 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=16 September 2015 |title=Enyo Law reappointed to fight LIA $3.3bn battles with Goldman Sachs and SocGen {{!}} The Lawyer {{!}} Legal News and Jobs {{!}} Advancing the business of law |url=http://www.thelawyer.com/issues/online-september-2015/enyo-law-reappointed-to-fight-lia-3-3bn-battles-with-goldman-sachs-and-socgen/ |access-date=2016-06-21 |website=www.thelawyer.com}}{{Cite web |title=Our Cases - Enyo Law |url=http://www.enyolaw.com/our-cases |access-date=2016-06-21 |website=Enyo Law |archive-date=2016-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709234356/http://www.enyolaw.com/our-cases/ |url-status=live }}

Approximately 85% of the LIA's assets remain{{when|date=March 2022}} frozen to safeguard them against potential misappropriation and corruption. These sanctions were originally requested by the National Transitional Council shortly after the fall of the Gaddafi regime to protect such assets from theft.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In 2015 Abdulmagid Breish called for the UN to maintain its freeze over the majority of the LIA's assets under UN Security Council Resolution 1970 of 26 February 2011.{{Cite web |title=Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2259 (2015), Security Council Welcomes Signing of Libyan Political Agreement on New Government for Strife-Torn Country {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12185.doc.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130034711/http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12185.doc.htm |archive-date=2016-01-30 |access-date=2016-07-05 |website=www.un.org}}

Breish insisted that Libyan assets must be frozen until a unity government emerges and asserts control. Bouhadi, by contrast, has repeatedly sought to unfreeze the assets, stating that said he would appeal to the UN, the US and the EU.{{Cite news |date=2015-12-21 |title=Libya sovereign fund assets must remain frozen, says one of two rival chairmen |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-swf-freeze-idUSKBN0U417820151221 |access-date=2016-07-05 |archive-date=2016-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817181239/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-swf-freeze-idUSKBN0U417820151221 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2015-07-08 |title=Libya investment fund seeks management right amid freeze |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/libya-investment-fund-idUSL8N0ZO17220150708 |access-date=2016-07-05 |archive-date=2016-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817113207/http://www.reuters.com/article/libya-investment-fund-idUSL8N0ZO17220150708 |url-status=live }}

In December 2015, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2259 welcoming the signing of Libyan Political Agreement and the emergence of a Tripoli-based Presidency Council (PC) and Government of National Accord (GNA).{{Cite web |title=Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2259 (2015), Security Council Welcomes Signing of Libyan Political Agreement on New Government for Strife-Torn Country {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12185.doc.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130034711/http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12185.doc.htm |archive-date=2016-01-30 |access-date=2016-06-21 |website=www.un.org}}

Breish appealed against his isolation before the Appeal Court of Tripoli. On 13 April 2015, the Libyan Court of Appeal stated that the Political and Administrative Isolation Law did not apply to Breish – he claims this led to his reinstatement as chairman and CEO of the LIA on 18 May 2015.{{Cite news |title=The leadership battle at the top of Libya's sovereign wealth fund |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11747956/The-leadership-battle-at-the-top-of-Libyas-sovereign-wealth-fund.html |access-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006053456/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11747956/The-leadership-battle-at-the-top-of-Libyas-sovereign-wealth-fund.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Tripoli Court of Appeal Legal Ruling |url=http://www.lia.ly/Libya_Court_of_Appeal_Legal_Ruling_on_LIA_Chairman_AbdulMagid_Breish_(English_translation).pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206155857/http://www.lia.ly/Libya_Court_of_Appeal_Legal_Ruling_on_LIA_Chairman_AbdulMagid_Breish_(English_translation).pdf |archive-date=2016-02-06 |access-date=2016-03-09}}{{Cite web |title=Abdulmagid Breish resumes leadership of Libyan Investment Authority |url=http://www.lia.ly/LIA_Press_Release-Abdulmagid_Breish_resumes_leadership_of_Libyan_Investment_Authority_EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219103648/http://www.lia.ly/LIA_Press_Release-Abdulmagid_Breish_resumes_leadership_of_Libyan_Investment_Authority_EN.pdf |archive-date=2016-02-19}} However, this decision did not reinstate him, nor did it suggest that any tenure he may have had in the past be reinstated.{{Cite web |title=Inside Libya: The Other Side Of The LIA Story |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriswright/2015/07/24/inside-libya-the-other-side-of-the-lia-story/#3487f1ee627a |website=Forbes |access-date=2017-09-03 |archive-date=2018-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116124153/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriswright/2015/07/24/inside-libya-the-other-side-of-the-lia-story/#3487f1ee627a |url-status=live }}

In March 2016, AbdulMagid Breish, former BoD Chairman, disputed Hassan Bouhadi’s authority as chairman of the Board of Directors of the LIA.{{Cite news |last=Croft |first=Jane |date=2015-09-07 |title=Power struggle over Libya's LIA spills into UK High Court |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a6e22040-5561-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html#axzz42bX9JYBS |access-date=2016-03-11 |issn=0307-1766 |archive-date=2015-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112160818/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a6e22040-5561-11e5-9846-de406ccb37f2.html?#axzz42bX9JYBS |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Braw |first=Elisabeth |date=10 October 2015 |title=Following the Money in Libya |url=http://nationalinterest.org/feature/following-the-money-libya-14041 |access-date=2016-03-11 |website=The National Interest |archive-date=2016-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308161853/http://nationalinterest.org/feature/following-the-money-libya-14041 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Zaptia |first=Sami |date=2016-08-13 |title=LIA chairman Bouhadi resigns as HoR appoint their man Shamekh as CEO |url=https://libyaherald.com/2016/08/lia-chairman-bouhadi-resigns-as-hor-appoint-their-man-shamekh/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=LibyaHerald |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802062406/https://libyaherald.com/2016/08/lia-chairman-bouhadi-resigns-as-hor-appoint-their-man-shamekh/ |url-status=live }}

On 30 March 2016, the Presidency Council and GNA arrived in Tripoli.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-30 |title=Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council reaches Tripoli by ship |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-politics-idUSKCN0WW1CG |access-date=2016-06-21 |archive-date=2016-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810004431/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-politics-idUSKCN0WW1CG |url-status=live }} By mid-April British, French and Spanish ambassadors had returned to Tripoli to reopen their embassies, and foreign ministers from the UK, France and Germany had visited Tripoli to express their support for the PC and GNA.{{Cite web |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=2016-04-14 |title=Foreign ambassadors return to Libya under new government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/foreign-ambassadors-return-to-libya-in-support-of-new-government |access-date=2016-06-21 |website=the Guardian}}{{Cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |last2=Stephen |first2=Chris |date=2016-04-18 |title=Philip Hammond backs Libyan unity government on Tripoli visit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/uk-foreign-secretary-philip-hammond-makes-surprise-libya-visit |access-date=2016-06-21 |website=the Guardian |archive-date=2024-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530221725/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/18/uk-foreign-secretary-philip-hammond-makes-surprise-libya-visit |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=16 April 2016 |title=Foreign ministers of France and Germany make surprise visit to Libya |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/foreign-ministers-of-france-and-germany-make-surprise-visit-to-l/ |access-date=2016-06-21 |archive-date=2016-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619101724/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/foreign-ministers-of-france-and-germany-make-surprise-visit-to-l/ |url-status=live }} Italian and Spanish ambassadors then followed suit shortly after.{{Cite news |date=2016-04-12 |title=Italian foreign minister meets new leaders in Libya, pledges support |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-italy-idUSKCN0X90O6 |access-date=2016-06-21 |archive-date=2016-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527192230/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-italy-idUSKCN0X90O6 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Spanish foreign minister assures Serraj of support |url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/04/28/spanish-foreign-minister-assures-serraj-of-support/ |access-date=2016-06-21 |archive-date=2016-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617031226/https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/04/28/spanish-foreign-minister-assures-serraj-of-support/ |url-status=live }}

Breish supported the establishment of a Presidency Council (PC) and Government of National Accord (GNA) in April 2016 and welcomed the PC and GNA, stating that "The LIA reaffirms its readiness to fully cooperate with the Government of National Accord in providing all relevant data, reports and support".{{Cite web |date=2016-04-05 |title=LIA-Tripoli welcomes new Govt of National Accord |url=http://www.libya-businessnews.com/2016/04/05/lia-tripoli-welcomes-new-govt-of-national-accord/ |access-date=2016-07-07 |website=Libya Business News |archive-date=2016-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806002323/http://www.libya-businessnews.com/2016/04/05/lia-tripoli-welcomes-new-govt-of-national-accord/ |url-status=live }}

On 15 August 2016, the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA) appointed an Interim Steering Committee to temporarily administer and steer the LIA. It has the privileges and terms of reference of the board of directors and chairman with a view to safeguard the normal administration of the company.{{Cite web |title=Appointment Decree-GNA |url=http://www.lia.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Presidential-Council-Resolution-No.-115-of-2016-English-Certified-Translation.pdf |publisher=Libyan Investment Authority Official Website |access-date=2016-08-25 |archive-date=2016-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921212210/http://www.lia.com.mt/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Presidential-Council-Resolution-No.-115-of-2016-English-Certified-Translation.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2017-03-29 |title=LIA chief Ali Shamekh targets inward investment, London office |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-swf-investment-idUSKBN17020Y |access-date=2023-08-02 |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802062236/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-swf-investment-idUSKBN17020Y |url-status=live }}

On 17 August 2016, the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a Joint Statement welcoming the appointment of the Steering Committee and underlining the GNA to "exercise sole and effective oversight" of the Libyan institutions including the LIA.{{Cite web |title=FCO Joint statement |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-libya--13 |publisher=UK Government Official Website |access-date=2016-08-25 |archive-date=2016-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818181056/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-libya--13 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=US State Department Joint Statement |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/08/261106.htm |publisher=US Department of State Official Website |access-date=2019-05-26 |archive-date=2020-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024232610/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/08/261106.htm |url-status=live }}

The value of the LIA was widely quoted as $70 billion but the LIA's September 2010 management information report valued its own investment portfolio at $64 billion{{Cite web |date=2021-02-24 |title=Libya: Investing in the wealth of a nation |url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/02/libya-investing-wealth-nation |access-date=2023-08-01 |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802063324/https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/02/libya-investing-wealth-nation |url-status=live }} and the Wall Street Journal quoted a value of $53 billion in June 2010.Coker Margaret and Rappaport, Liz (31 May 2011) [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304066504576347190532098376 Libya's Goldman Dalliance Ends in Losses, Acrimony] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619012535/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304066504576347190532098376 |date=2017-06-19 }} The Wall Street Journal, Retrieved 9 September 2011

In May 2011, The Washington Post detailed the holdings of the LIA. Despite a severe lack of transparency, the LIA saw an astonishing influx of foreign investment after Libya was removed from the U.S.'s list of state sponsors of terrorism in 2006, thereby lifting previously imposed economic sanctions.The Washington Post - [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyan-gold-rush-followed-end-to-sanctions/2011/05/25/AGGgbVBH_story.html Libyan gold rush followed end to sanctions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018072558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyan-gold-rush-followed-end-to-sanctions/2011/05/25/AGGgbVBH_story.html |date=2017-10-18 }} The Post reported that investment in Libya "occurred with encouragement from U.S. officials, who wanted to reward Gaddafi for pledging to honor international law, disavow terrorism and compensate relatives of victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing:"

{{blockquote|"Sanctions are powerful because of our ability to leverage the U.S. financial system. Immediate access to the U.S. and Western investment upon the removal of sanctions is the ultimate carrot...That carrot is what compels sanctioned narcotics traffickers, proliferators and supporters of terrorism to change their behavior and stop engaging in the illicit conduct that got them cut off from the United States."|Unnamed senior U.S. official|The Washington Post, 25 May 2011}}

As of Q1 of 2010, the LIA held approximately US$56 billion in assets around the world, broken down as follows:{{Cite web |date=25 May 2011 |title=Libya's assets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/libyas-assets/2011/05/25/AGCOyWBH_graphic.html |access-date=2 December 2016 |via=washingtonpost.com |archive-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203060635/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/libyas-assets/2011/05/25/AGCOyWBH_graphic.html |url-status=live }}

• $22 billion: Cash and deposits, mostly gold reserves in the Central Bank of Libya, with a small amount held by other banks including HSBC and Goldman Sachs.
• $16.8 billion: Subsidiary companies owned by the fund, including Oil Invest.
• $6 billion: Equities in companies including GE, AT&T, Citigroup, and Juventus
• $3.8 billion: Alternatives, including investments with J.P. Morgan, Lehman Brothers and The Carlyle Group.
• $3.2 billion: Bonds, including U.S. Treasuries.
• $4.2 billion: Other assets.

By May 2011, U.S. regulators had frozen $37 billion of the LIA's assets there, including $29 billion in a single bank. The head of the London School of Economics resigned after it was revealed that he had served as an informal adviser to the LIA and accepted a donation from the fund to the school. UniCredit, Italy's largest bank, also froze some of Gaddafi's assets.

Following a validation and evaluation assessment undertaken by Deloitte for the board of directors in 2012,{{Cite web |title=Investment Portfolio |url=http://www.lia.com.mt/en/investment-portfolio |publisher=Libyan Investment Authority Official Website |access-date=2015-06-17 |archive-date=2015-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617195009/http://www.lia.com.mt/en/investment-portfolio/ |url-status=live }} the LIA portfolio was valued at $67 billion as of December 31, 2012.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline}}

• [http://lia.ly Libyan Investment Authority] - under control of AbdulMagid Breish
• [http://www.lafico.ly/ Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LAFICO)]
• [http://www.esdf.ly/ The Economic and Social Development Fund (ESDF)]
• [http://www.laico.ly/ Libyan African Investment Company (LAICO)]

Category:Sovereign wealth funds

Category:Economy of Libya

Category:Government-owned companies of Libya