It comes after the same force, which backs a rival administration in east Libya, seized two other oil ports from guards loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) on Sunday.
Advertisement
The ports have been closed since late 2014, but the PFG recently struck a deal with the UN-backed government in Tripoli to reopen them and attempt to resume exports.
The attacks on Libya’s major oil ports by Haftar, who opposes the United Nations -backed Government of National Accord (GNA), could derail efforts to restart production.
But an official from the force that previously controlled the ports, the Petrol Facilities Guard, said there was still fighting at Ras Lanuf.
“The entire oil crescent region is now under our control”, Muqarief told AFP.
“This area of the oil crescent is where militias, after the fall of Gaddafi, have fought over and over again”, he said, speaking from London.
The attack on the oil ports is the strongest indication that Gen. Haftar has abandoned any negotiations to support and work with the unity government.
ISIL is said to be near defeat in Sirte under pressure from GNA forces backed by USA airstrikes.
The jihadists took over the city – some 180 kilometres (110 miles) to the east of the oil terminals – in June past year. Without directly addressing the seizure of the oil ports, he said he would not “lead any Libyan group or run a war against any other Libyan group for political or regional or ideological motives”, calling for a dialogue among all parties. “Conflicts can only be solved through dialogue, not violence”.
The UN special representative to Libya, Martin Kobler, urged Haftar’s forces “to immediately stop fighting and refrain from further military escalation”.
He said Hifter’s takeover of the oil fields “will further hinder oil exports, deprive Libya of its only source of income, and increase the division in the country”.
“Unless there is a very quick mediation, this could lead to conflict and a final blow to Libya’s oil industry”, Toaldo said. Before 2011, Libya had a peak of pumping 1.6 million bpd.
Libya has been split between rival parliaments and governments, each backed by a loose array of militias and tribes.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation has been removing oil stored at Zueitina because of fears it could be lost during clashes.
The pro-GNA military command is based in the city of Misrata.
Pinotti said the United Nations -brokered presidency council requested the hospital in a letter to Premier Matteo Renzi in early August and Italy sent two reconnaissance teams to assess the needs.
Advertisement
The parliament in the east last month voted no confidence in the GNA in a setback to efforts to end the political chaos.
