Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya. The Libyan National Army, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, controls much of eastern and southern Libya and is aligned with authorities based in Benghazi.

"We condemn, in the strongest terms, this treacherous terrorist act," Hammad said. He added that there is no place in Libya for anyone who raises arms against the state, and no cover for anyone who plans, executes, finances, or incites assassination and terrorism crimes.

Mansouri was appointed as commander of the Sebha Military Zone in the Fezzan region in 2021. In 2024, Mansouri was promoted to the rank of major-general and appointed as director of military intelligence in Benghazi.

There were two previous car bomb attacks targeting high-ranking LNA officials in Benghazi in 2023. In 2024, the Presidential Council of Libya issued decisions to restructure the General Intelligence Service, including the appointment of new leadership.

Naji Issa, the governor of Libya's Central Bank, submitted his resignation to the country's rival legislative chambers in documents dated August 9. "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," Issa said.

Issa confirmed the authenticity of the resignation letters in a message but declined to reveal more about the reasons behind his decision. The two legislative chambers have not yet responded to Issa's resignation request.

Naji Mohamed Issa Belqasem has been the governor of the Central Bank of Libya since 2024. Issa's appointment as Central Bank governor was the first to be approved by all branches of the Libyan government: the House of Representatives, the High Council of State, and the Presidential Council.

Why It Matters

The assassination of a senior intelligence official marks a continuation of targeted violence in Benghazi, where two previous car bomb attacks struck high-ranking LNA officials in 2023. The Libyan National Army controls much of eastern and southern Libya, while the internationally recognized Government of National Unity is based in the capital Tripoli and controls much of the west of Libya.

Libya split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi. A 2020 ceasefire halted major warfare in Libya, but political fragmentation persists alongside security challenges for military leadership.

Timeline

The eastern-based House of Representatives was elected in 2014. Libya split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The High Council of State in the west was formed as part of a 2015 political agreement and its members were drawn from a parliament elected in 2012.

Mansouri was involved in Khalifa Haftar’s offensive to capture Tripoli in 2019. A 2020 ceasefire halted major warfare in Libya. Mansouri was appointed as director of military intelligence in Benghazi with the rank of major-general in 2024. Naji Issa, the Governor of Libya's Central Bank, submitted his resignation to the country's rival legislative chambers in documents dated August 9.

What's New

Senior Libyan National Army officials, including Khaled and Saddam Haftar, attended Mansouri's funeral in Benghazi on Tuesday. Brigadier Fowzi Mansouri, head of military intelligence for the Libyan National Army (LNA) in eastern Libya, was killed in a car bombing outside his home in the Hawari area of Benghazi on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Mansouri was appointed as director of military intelligence in Benghazi with the rank of major-general in 2024. In 2024, Brigadier Fowzi Mansouri was promoted to the rank of major-general and appointed as director of military intelligence in Benghazi, showing his rising influence within the LNA's command structure. Mansouri played a key role in the Libyan National Army’s fight against jihadist groups, including Islamic State militants, in eastern Libya between 2014 and 2017.

In 2019, Brigadier Fowzi Mansouri played a central role in Khalifa Haftar’s offensive to seize Tripoli, which was ultimately halted by forces in the capital supported by Turkey, reflecting his strategic significance in LNA operations. In 2020, the Libyan National Army launched a military campaign to control Tripoli, with Brigadier Fowzi Mansouri serving as the commander of the Ain Zara-Wadi al-Rabi` fighting axis, demonstrating his direct involvement in key offensives. Naji Issa, the Governor of Libya's Central Bank, resigned on August 9, 2026, citing 'sensitive' reasons, which has raised concerns about the stability of Libya's financial institutions during ongoing political fragmentation.