The 2012 edition of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks Libya joint 160th out of 174 countries, a slight improvement from its previous report and level with Laos and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Figures from the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) show that annual inflation was 8.9% in June, having fallen steadily during the first half of 2012, but consumer prices remain substantially higher than pre-war levels.

A Benghazi-based employee of the Audit Bureau, which was set up last year to review the finances of government institutions, was assaulted last week in the most recent of a series of attacks on the institution.

The local council in Al Bayda, in north-east Libya, says it has started work on schools, water infrastructure and street maintenance.

Central Bank figures show that state finances were in surplus during the first 10 months of 2012, but revenues remain below the levels forecast in the 2012 budget.

Official figures show that the public-sector wages and price subsidies accounted for more than half of total state expenditure in Libya during the first 10 months of 2012. 

The head of the Audit Bureau, which was set up in late 2011 to review the finances of government institutions, has handed in his resignation after a series of threats and break-ins.

Libya earned LD55.7bn ($44.2bn) in oil revenues between January and October this year, according to official figures.

The local council of Zliten has awarded a number of infrastructure contracts to Libyan companies.

French and Italian ministers visited Tripoli last week, with both countries seeking to bolster trade and investment ties after unfreezing Libyan state assets.

The outgoing prime minister, Abdelrahim al-Keib, has announced the launch of a new Marriage Support Fund to be managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Libya's General National Congress (GNC) has decided to significantly increase the value of family and housing allowances provided by the state.

The interim government has approved a resolution to implement daylight saving hours in Libya, with clocks due to go back one hour next weekend.

Libya's overall balance of payments stood at LD4.2bn ($3.3bn) in 2011, with the current account surplus reaching 1.3% of GDP against 19.8% in 2010.

Libyan families will receive a special LD1,000 ($800) payment from the government to mark the Eid al-Adha feast, which this year takes place in late October.