US 'concerned' about escalation in southern Libya

US Deputy State Department spokesman Robert Palladino has expressed his country’s concern about the escalation of tension in southern Libya.

This came in a statement issued yesterday by Palladino on the latest developments in the south of the country, stressing the need to resume work in El Sharara oil field as soon as possible for the interests of the Libyan people.

“The United States is concerned about the tension in southern Libya, the closure of the oil field in the region and the denial of the Libyan people access to vital economic resources,” Palladino said, indicating that oil and its revenues belong to the Libyan people.

He added: “We insist that the Libyan National Oil Corporation should be allowed to continue its work unhindered and that these vital resources must remain under the exclusive control of the Oil Corporation under UN Security Council resolutions and the supervision of the Government of National Accord.”

Libya: Haftar forces launch air strikes near el Feel oilfield

The statement said that the US welcomed the efforts made to prevent the strengthening of Daesh and Al-Qaeda in southern Libya, stressing that the US will continue to exert pressure on terrorist organisations in response to demands by Libya’s Government of National Accord.

Earlier in February, forces led by General Khalifa Haftar gained control of El Sharara oil field, the largest and most important oilfield in the country. El Sharara produces more than 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), meaning it accounts for nearly one third of the country’s crude oil production, which currently exceeds one million bpd.

Since mid-January, southern Libya has witnessed military operations by Haftar’s forces – which control Libya’s east – against what they called “smuggling gangs and the Chadian opposition”.

Libya has been suffering from a conflict over legitimacy and authority for years. This conflict is currently between the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord in the western capital Tripoli and Haftar’s forces, supported by the House of Representatives, held in the city of eastern city of Tobruk.

Libya: Civilians killed as Haftar prolongs fighting in Derna