The head of Libya’s UN-backed unity government called for urgent talks Wednesday after forces loyal to a rival administration seized the main eastern oil ports in defiance of world powers.
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On Sunday, Haftar’s forces took Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports before attacking Zuwaytina to the east.
Mr. Sanallah said the country could now raise production to 600,000 barrels a day within four weeks from around 290,000 barrels a day currently, if the necessary funds were available from the central government.
“The entire oil crescent region is now under our control”, Muqarief said. Hifter is allied with Libya’s parliament, which is based in the country’s far east and has not approved the United Nations -backed government, in part because of differences over his future role in the country.
The oil-rich North African country slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Moammar Gadhafi, and has recently been split by rival authorities based in the east and in Tripoli, in the west.
It was the first time Haftar’s forces and fighters loyal to the GNA clashed directly since the unity government started working in the capital in March.
We reiterate our intent to enforce UNSCR 2259, including measures concerning illicit oil exports, activities which could damage the integrity and unity of Libyan State financial institutions and the NOC, and individuals and entities engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, stability or security of Libya.
He said Haftar’s move was by “popular demand” and was authorised by Libya’s official institutions.
Saleh said Hifter’s forces will withdraw once the Tripoli-based, state-run, and internationally recognized National Oil Corp. He said Gen Haftar’s forces “liberated the fields and the terminals from the occupiers and those hindering exports”, referring to militia commander Ibrahim Jadhran, who commands a force known as the Petroleum Facilities Guard.
Italy’s defense minister says a field hospital requested by the United Nations -backed government in Libya to treat wounded militia soldiers fighting the Islamic State group could be fully operational within three weeks at the Misrata airport. The branch that issued the statement Tuesday is loyal to the GNA, but the other is aligned to the administration that Haftar supports.
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“Our technical teams already started assessing what needs to be done to lift force majeure and restart exports as soon as possible”, NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said in a statement.
