Libya’s Gryan missiles expose Qatar-Sarraj relationship
July 9, 2019, 10:24 am

Libya’s Gryan missiles expose Qatar-Sarraj relationship

Adding to the “shameful” Doha record, and its “malicious” agenda aiming at destabilizing security and stability and spreading chaos in the region, a new Qatari conspiracy was revealed a couple of days ago—it is in Libya this time.

The Paris-based Africa Intelligence website, which is close to the Western intelligence services, provided evidence of the involvement of Qatar and the government of Fayez al-Sarraj in the discovery of US Jafflin missiles in the city of Gryan, south of the Libyan capital.

The site revealed in a special report a suspicious relationship between al-Sarraj and Michael Solman who is a partner in Mercury Public Relations and is concurrently a senior adviser to US Senator Robert Menendez. Menendez has called for an investigation into the missile.

The report said the US company, which has been providing services to al-Sarraj since last April, is also working for the Qatari government.

Tucking missiles to cover up the Gryan massacre

These facts confirm the involvement of the Tripoli militias in “tucking” 3 US missiles in the Libyan National Army warehouse in Gryan, in an attempt to accuse the Libyan army of obtaining missiles in violation of international law.

“The militias are trying as usual to fabricate the charges. This is not new to them. They have brought arms shipments from Bulgaria before, and they have also been helped by Qatar to obtain weapons through their smuggling,” Libyan political expert Abdel Basset Bin Hamel explained to Sky News Arabia.

Bin Hamel stressed that the methods of the armed militias supported by Turkey and Qatar are exposed. Even the weapons, they want to implicate the Libyan army with, can be traced through its serial number.

“This incident is very similar to the refugee case when satellite images revealed their lies and plotting ,” said the political expert Abdulhakim Maatouk.

The two experts agreed that the operation of missiles in the Libyan army warehouse is a desperate attempt by al-Sarraj government to cover up the terrible massacre committed by the Tripoli militias against the wounded soldiers of the Libyan National Army in the city of Gryan a few days ago. It happened that Tripoli militias stormed a hospital in the city and 40 soldiers from the Libyan army were brutally killed.

Sarraj-Mercury Deal

The story of al-Sarraj and “Mercury” started in the beginning of April. Al-Sarraj contracted with the company working in the field of public relations, in order to try to change the US opinion about the Libyan National Army.

The company has special ties with the Qatari regime. It works for Doha and is constantly seeking to improve the image of the country.

“The deal is aimed at promoting Fayez Al-Sarraj and pressuring the White House, but it has failed completely. The US administration does not rely on reports from short-sighted organizations like this,” Bin Hamel explained.

The Politeko, revealed details of the agreement between al-Sarraj and Mercury. Data showed that al-Sarraj is spending $ 150,000 per month from the Central Bank of Libya and $ 1.8 million per year for the company.

Bin Hamel described the massive transfers as “a systematic robbery of Libyan funds carried out by al-Sarraj.”

As Qatar’s relentless attempts to stop the Libyan National Army’s march towards liberating the Libyan capital Tripoli from armed militias continue, observers expect the pace of “scandals” that reflect Doha’s failure to achieve this goal to be more predictable.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.