Forces loyal to a Libyan general on Sunday said they had seized two key oil export terminals as a UN-backed unity government struggles to assert its authority over the oil-rich country.
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On August 22, the internationally recognized Libyan parliament voted against a motion of confidence in the Government of National Accord (GNA) which was unable to extend its authority beyond the walls of a tiny naval base in the capital Tripoli.
“The entire oil crescent region is now under our control”, Muqarief told AFP news agency.
The GNA called on loyalist forces to “protect and defend” the ports against what it called a “flagrant aggression” of Libya’s sovereignty.
Mismari said the LNA operation succeeded in rapid fashion in Ras Lanuf and Es Sider because it had won over local tribes before staging the offensive.
Martin Kobler, the United Nations envoy to Libya, expressed concern over the general’s seizure of the terminals.
The Libyan army lead by General Khalifa Haftar issued a statement on Monday night urging the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to resume production of oil as the terminals have become secure. Conflict and political disputes have reduced Libya’s oil output and exports to a fraction of the level seen before an uprising toppled late dictator Gaddafi five years ago.
The seizure of all four-export terminals in the so-called oil crescent was a major blow to Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s government, which is nearly entirely dependent on oil revenues for its income.
In Libya’s current state of political paralysis Haftar is opposed by Fayyez’ government of national accord but supported by the internationally recognised House of Representatives in the east.
It was the first fighting between the forces of the rival administrations since Sarraj established his government in Tripoli in March.
Both ports have been closed since late 2014 but the Petrol Facilities Guard recently struck a deal with the United Nations -backed government in Tripoli to reopen them and attempt to resume exports.
On Sunday afternoon, residents said LNA forces had taken control of a large house belonging to Jathran’s family in a residential district of Ajdabiya following clashes.
Haftar’s assault on the ports came as pro-GNA forces, including oil installation guards, have been battling for months to oust IS from the coastal city of Sirte.
The Ras Lanuf and Sidra oilfields are estimated to account for more than half of Libya’s oil production.
The PFG is allied with the newly formed UN-backed unity government in Tripoli.
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But the NOC is split into two rival branches.
