TRIPOLI / Moataz Wanis / AA

Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba, head of the Libyan Government of National Unity, affirmed his government's support for enhancing bilateral cooperation with Palestine in various fields, especially industrial and economic.

This came during Al-Dabaiba's reception on Wednesday in the capital Tripoli of Palestinian Industry Minister Arafat Suleiman, according to a statement by the Libyan Government of National Unity.

During the meeting, Suleiman handed Al-Dabaiba a written message from Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, which addressed 'enhancing bilateral relations and expanding areas of joint cooperation between the two countries.'

During the meeting, Al-Dabaiba reiterated 'Libya's firm and supportive stance towards the Palestinian people and their cause,' according to the statement.

He also renewed 'the government's support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in the industrial and economic sectors.'

This comes at a time when Palestine is suffering from major financial and economic problems, as Israel is withholding about 14 billion shekels ($4.6 billion) from Palestinian treasury revenues from customs duties on imports destined for Palestinians, known as 'clearance funds.'

Clearance funds are taxes and customs collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on goods entering the occupied Palestinian territories, before being transferred monthly to the Palestinian Ministry of Finance under the 1994 Paris Economic Protocol.

These funds constitute about 56 percent of total Palestinian public revenues, making any deduction or withholding directly affect the government's ability to pay salaries, provide public services, and meet its obligations to the private sector and banks.

For his part, the Palestinian minister, who is visiting Tripoli to participate in an Arab event according to the statement, praised Libya's positions.

He noted that he participated 'in the work of the 29th session of the General Assembly of the Arab Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining Organization (AIDSMO), which is hosted by the capital Tripoli and organized by the Ministry of Industry and Minerals.'

He affirmed 'the importance of this event in enhancing Arab cooperation and exchanging expertise in the fields of industry, standardization, and mining.'

On Tuesday, the work of the preparatory committee meeting for the 29th session of the General Assembly of the Arab Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining Organization (AIDSMO) commenced in Tripoli, with activities continuing until July 16, with the participation of delegations and representatives from 21 Arab countries.

Libya is experiencing a power struggle between two governments: the first is Al-Dabaiba's government, based in Tripoli (west), from which it administers the entire west of the country, and the second is the government of Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives in early 2022, based in Benghazi (east), from which it administers the entire east and most southern cities.