The government in eastern Libya has announced the suspension of oil exports and production as a form of protest against escalating attacks on the leadership and staff of the country's central bank. This decision was communicated by Osama Hammad, the head of the cabinet in the eastern part of the country, through a video message posted on the cabinet's Facebook page (banned in Russia; owned by Meta Corporation, recognized as extremist in Russia).
“The government declares a force majeure on all oil fields and ports in Libya; oil production and exports would be halted until further notice,” Hammad said. He explained that this drastic measure was taken in response to increasing assaults by members of what he described as “illegal formations” targeting central bank officials. He emphasized that the decision was also motivated by the government's responsibility to safeguard the national budget and the deposits of citizens held in the Central Bank, which he claimed were under threat from these groups seeking to exploit the funds for their own purposes.
The Libyan National Oil Corporation has not yet issued a response to this announcement.
Kidnappings and Political Turmoil
Libya has experienced a series of kidnappings of officials in recent months, contributing to the country's ongoing instability. For example, in July 2023, Faraj Bumatari, a former finance minister and candidate for the central bank governor, was abducted by an armed group in Tripoli, prompting the blockade of one of Libya's largest oil fields, El-Fil, by protesters demanding his release. Other notable incidents include the kidnapping of Khaled al-Tawati, CEO of Libya's national shipping company, and Musab Muslim, the head of the Central Bank's Information Technology Department.
These kidnappings have exacerbated the already volatile situation in Libya, which has been divided between two rival governments since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The internationally recognized government, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, operates from Tripoli, while the eastern government, supported by the Libyan National Army under Marshal Khalifa Haftar, is based in Benghazi and led by Osama Hammad. Despite efforts by the UN to broker peace and establish a transitional government, elections have yet to be held, leaving Libya in a state of prolonged political and social instability.
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Based on materials from TASS