Libya’s internationally recognised prime minister Fayez Al-Serraj on Wednesday said Central Bank of Libya governor Sadiq Al-Kabir was to blame for the recent non-payment of salaries to state workers and the non-issuance of letters of credit.

Friction between Serraj and Kabir threatens to undermine the Tripoli government as it fends off a military assault, deals with a blockade of its main oil exports, and prepares to handle a coronavirus outbreak.

Serraj said on al-Rasmiya television channel that he had “tried to avoid a war of words with the Central Bank of Libya, but things have really crossed all lines”.

He said the bank had to hold a board meeting, something that would bring together directors from across the divide of Libya’s conflict, in order to discuss changes he said Kabir seeks in the exchange rate.

Analysts say a meeting of the board, which has more members aligned with the east than with Tripoli, could provide eastern authorities with a chance to try to achieve their long-standing goal of having Kabir replaced.