General Khalifa Haftar seizes key Libyan oil ports

Libyan National Army forces loyal to a controversial eastern Libyan commander have seized all three of Libya’s oil ports, ruining the plans of the Tripoli-based UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to put them back into operation. 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.

Haftar, a former general, declared a private war on radical Islamists in mid-2014 and refuses to recognize the national unity government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj in Tripoli, Libya’s capital.

Ahmed al-Masmari, a spokesman for Gen Haftar’s forces, told reporters they had taken Ras Lanuf and Sidra and were still fighting for Zuitina. The GNA entered Tripoli in March.

The jihadists took over the city – some 180 kilometres (110 miles) to the east of the oil terminals – in June a year ago.

“Oil belongs to ALL Libyans”, he tweeted.

“Unless there is a very quick mediation, this could lead to conflict and a final blow to Libya’s oil industry”, Toaldo said.

Libya has been in chaos since the revolt that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias vying for control of the country.

Citing another army representative, Sputnik news later reported that the forces had also taken the port of Al-Brega, as well as 80 percent of the Zuwaytina oil site.

The pro-GNA military command is based in the city of Misrata. Armed conflict, political disputes and militant attacks have reduced Libya’s oil production to about 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 1.6 million bpd it was producing before an uprising and fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

In recent weeks, as the PFG struck its deal with the GNA to try to restart exports, the LNA mobilized in the area leading to fears of a struggle for control.

Libya forces seize key oil terminals in blow to unity govt was posted in World of TheNews International – https://www.thenews.com.pk on September 11, 2016 and was last updated on September 11, 2016.