World Bulletin/News Desk

The Central Bank of Libya on Saturday denied media reports that the Muslim Brotherhood had taken control of it and disbursed $1.9 billion for the Tripoli government, which is backed by the former General National Congress (parliament).

The bank described the media reports in a statement as "mere rumors."

"These reports are nothing but rumors and attempts to tarnish the reputation of the [Central] Bank and its various administrations," the bank said in the statement.

Some Arab media had recently claimed that the bank had already been controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood and some of Libya's militant movements.

Libya has been on the crest of a high wave of violence and turmoil since a violent uprising ousted longstanding ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The Central Bank said it worked to keep itself away from Libya's political conflicts.

Since 2011, rival militias have frequently locked horns, often bringing violence to Libya's main cities, especially capital Tripoli and Benghazi.

The central government, meanwhile, has remained largely absent from the scene.

The sharp political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, each of which has its own institutions.

Two assemblies currently vie for legislative authority: the House of Representatives, which convenes in Tobruk, and the General National Congress, which – even though its mandate ended in August – continues to convene in Tripoli.

The two parliaments support two rival governments respectively headquartered in the two cities.