Libya's Prime Minister warns against oil field shutdowns amid tensions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
29 Aug 2024 16:20

Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has warned against shutting down oil fields under flimsy pretext,s and stressed the need for international support during a meeting with Stephanie Khoury, following the government's declaration of "force majeure" on oil production and exports.

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Head of Libya's Government of National Unity Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Acting Head of the UN Mission to Libya Stephanie Khoury in a meeting on August 28, 2024. (Libyan Prime Minister's office)

Libya's Prime Minister under the National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, has warned of the "danger of shutting down oil fields in the country," stating that such actions should not be permitted under "flimsy pretexts", and that those responsible for these "reprehensible actions" should be held accountable for "committing what amounts to a criminal offense."

During a meeting on Wednesday afternoon with Stephanie Khoury, Acting Head of the UN Mission in Libya, Dbeibeh emphasized the importance of "cooperating with the United Nations to achieve consensus and overcome current crises."

The Benghazi-based Libyan government led by Osama Hammad has escalated its stance on the issue of changing the Central Bank governor by Tripoli authorities.

It is important to note that earlier, on Monday, the Tripoli-based government declared a state of "force majeure" on all oil fields, ports, institutions, and facilities, halting oil production and exports "until further notice."

Dbeibeh’s office highlighted in a Facebook post that the PM had stressed, during his meeting with Khoury, the "need for international support in this context."

Moreover, the office noted that "the meeting touched on the political developments in Libya and the Deputy Special Representative's briefing to the UN Security Council."

Similarly, the Hammad government justified its decision as a response to "repeated attacks on leaders, employees, and management of the Central Bank of Libya by lawless groups, allegedly incited and assisted by the Presidential Council," arguing that such actions risk accelerating the collapse of the national economy.

Most oil fields are under the control of the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and the Wahat region in the southwest is one of the key oil-rich areas.