Abdulrahman Ben Yezza (Arabic: عبد الرحمن عبدالله بن يزة) is a Libyan businessman and politician who is the Oil Minister in the government of Abdurrahim El-Keib.[1] Prior to the 2011 Libyan Civil War, Ben Yezza served as "chairman of the operator's management committee" for Italian oil company Eni. He also worked for Libya's National Oil Corporation during Libya's governance by Muammar Gaddafi, but he quit the company voluntarily due to reported differences with its then-leader Shokri Ghanem, a member of Gaddafi's inner circle.[2] In 2014 the Libyan government has named Abdulrahman Ben Yezza as chairman of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA). He temporarily replaced AmbdulMagid Breish who had to step out pending investigation into his role in the Gaddafi administration.[3]

Abdulrahman Ben Yezza
عبد الرحمن بن يزة
Minister of Oil
Assumed office
22 November 2011
Prime MinisterAbdurrahim El-Keib
Preceded byAli Tarhouni
Personal details
NationalityLibyan
Political partyNational Transitional Council
ProfessionBusinessman

Ben Yezza was originally considered for an appointment to government under the interim administration of Mahmoud Jibril, the National Transitional Council's prime minister during the fight to overthrow Gaddafi. Jibril's overt contemplation of naming Ben Yezza, who was ultimately passed over in favor of retaining Deputy Prime Minister Ali Tarhouni, to head the Oil Ministry was seen by some analysts as a gesture to the government of Italy, a major investor in Libyan oilfields and an important supporter of the Libyan civil war.[2] Ben Yezza was ultimately given the portfolio of Oil Minister by Jibril's successor, Abdurrahim El-Keib, on 22 November 2011.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "NTC spokesman confirms Zintan commander as defence min". TD Waterhouse. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-05-22. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Libya proposes ex-Eni executive for oil minister". ABN Digital. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Ben Yezza, an ally of Jibril, to head LIA". Africa Intelligence.
  4. ^ "Libya's NTC announces new cabinet". Al Jazeera. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.