11/07/2020 – The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar has pledged to deter Turkish forces that are backing Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya’s war.
The LNA is “ready for any military act,” it announced on Friday.
Its statement came as Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) lifted force majeure on all oil exports as a Vitol tanker loaded at Es Sider after a half-year standstill.
« The increase in production will take a long time, » NOC said.
NOC chief Mustafa Sanalla welcomed the resumption of oil production, saying: « We are very glad finally to be able to take this important step to national recovery. »
The US embassy hailed news that the NOC had lifted force majeure « and resumed its vital work on behalf of all Libyans. »
It vowed to cooperate with the UN mission in Libya to ensure « revenues are not misappropriated but rather preserved for the benefit of the Libyan people ».
France’s embassy also rejected « the militarization of oil installations » and stressed « the importance of preserving NOC neutrality ».
Libya produced 1.22 million barrels per day (bpd) before January and had planned to increase production to 2.1 million bpd by 2024, the NOC said this week.
ASHRAQ AL-AWSAT
Sahel-Elite (Bamako-Mali) |Photo illustration : Author: AFP
Sahel-Elite (Bamako-Mali) 