Libya Military Intelligence Chief Killed in Benghazi Car Bombing; Central Bank Governor Resigns

Brigadier Fowzi Mansouri, the head of military intelligence for eastern Libya's Libyan National Army (LNA), was killed on Monday when an explosive device detonated in his car outside his home in Benghazi's Hawari area. The assassination highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing Libya, a nation grappling with rival administrations and influential armed groups, even after a 2020 ceasefire ended major warfare.

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The killing highlights continuing security challenges in Libya, where rival administrations and armed groups have retained influence despite a 2020 ceasefire that halted major warfare.

Sources speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed Mansouri's death in the evening blast but did not assign responsibility or provide further details about the device used. Libya has remained divided since 2014, following a 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, with competing factions controlling the east and west. The LNA, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, largely governs eastern and southern Libya and is aligned with authorities in Benghazi.

In a separate development, Libya's Central Bank Governor, Naji Issa, has submitted his resignation. According to two documents seen by Reuters, Issa informed the country's rival legislative chambers of his decision, stating he could not continue in his post due to "sensitivity" of the reasons, without elaborating further. Issa confirmed the authenticity of the resignation letters, dated August 9, to Reuters but declined to provide additional details.

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Brigadier Fowzi Mansouri was killed in the evening blast, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The two legislative chambers Issa addressed are the eastern-based House of Representatives, elected in 2014, and the western-based High Council of State, established as part of a 2015 political agreement. The country's division since 2014 has created a complex political landscape, with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli controlling much of the west.

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I apologize for not being able to continue in my duties as Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, without stating the reasons, due to their sensitivity.