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Libya unity government urges UN to block 'illegal' oil sales

Tuesday June 26 2018
Libya MAP

Libya. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By AFP

Libya's unity government on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to block any "illegal" oil exports from the chaos-hit country after a rival administration won control of key ports.

The appeal by the UN-backed Government of National Accord follows the seizure of two eastern oil ports by military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who said Monday that all future revenues from terminals under his control would be handed over to the unrecognised administration in the east.

"Handing over oil terminals to an illegitimate entity only exacerbates the division," the Tripoli-based unity government said.

Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 ouster and killing of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a Nato-backed uprising, with rival governments and militias competing for authority and oil wealth.

A rival militia

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army said Monday it had regained "full control" of Libya's oil crescent, days after it retook the Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra terminals from a rival militia in nearly two weeks of deadly clashes.

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The GNA said the transfer of oil revenues to the unrecognised administration in the east backed by Haftar "undermines all international and national efforts in recent years towards a return to stability".

Earlier on Tuesday, the Tripoli-based National Oil Company said any attempt by the rival administration to independently export oil would be stopped.

"Exports by parallel institutions are illegal and will fail as they have failed in the past," NOC chief Mustafa Sanalla said.

The eastern-based authorities made a similar attempt to bypass the Tripoli government in April 2016, but their planned sale of 300,000 barrels per day of crude was stopped by the UN Security Council.

Foreign contracts

"UN Security Council resolutions are very clear — oil facilities, production and exports must remain under the exclusive control of (the Tripoli-based) NOC and the sole oversight of the Government of National Accord," Mr Sanalla said.

"We are confident that the GNA and our international partners will take the necessary steps to stop all exports in breach of international law."

The NOC warned it would sue any company that tried to buy oil from the eastern authorities and that no purchase contract signed with them would be honoured.

"There is only one legitimate NOC, recognised by the international community and OPEC," Sanalla said, in reference to a rival NOC set up in the east.

The eastern administration, for its part, said it was committed to equitably sharing all oil revenues and that foreign contracts would be respected.

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