Tripoli: A conflict sparking between the government and the rebels for control over the oil reserves in Libya is highly probable. The Libyan government has accused Haftar’s rebels of locking out the oil companies and facilities in eastern Libya. At the same time, the state-run oil company criticised the rebel action in eastern Libya declaring an ‘emergency’. On the other hand, the Libyan government has appealed to the international community to intervene in the matter.  

Located in northern Africa, Libya has vast oil wealth and is one of the largest oil-producing countries in the world. Libya produces 1.3 million barrels of crude oil every day. Italy is the biggest consumer of Libyan oil while China, France and the UK purchase oil from the country as well. The Libyan economy is entirely dependent on oil exports, and the country holds significant reserves of oil in the eastern part of the country, which is currently under the control of Haftar’s rebels.  

The rebel military leader General Khalifa Haftar has initiated a new conflict against Libya’s Sarraj government. The Libyan government and the state-run oil company National Oil Corporation (NOC) accused Haftar’s rebels, who are launching attacks on capital Tripoli for gaining control over it, of locking out the oil projects under their control. At the same time, they have alleged that more than half the oil production in the state was blocked, but the Libyan rebels have rebuffed the claims.  

LNA Spokesperson Ahmed Mismari informed that the Libyan people had shut down the oil terminals to express outrage against the government. Also, the Libyan government was spreading disinformation against them, Al-Mismari severely criticised. Reportedly, the tribes aligned with Haftar’s rebels have taken control over the Zueitina oil port and has blocked the oil export from the port.   

The Libyan government has appealed to the international community to pay attention to the LNA rebel activities directed towards curbing the oil exports. Presently, a meeting of European nations is in progress in the German capital of Berlin. The summit was convened to discuss the Libyan issue for which Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkish President Recep Erdogan are also present along with the European leaders.   

Libyan Prime Minister al-Sarraj and rebel leader General Haftar were extended an invitation to attend the summit. The United States, Russia, European nations and the United Nations (UN) have appealed to put an end to the Libyan conflict. Meanwhile, a meeting of the Libyan warring factions was recently held in Russia. However, General Haftar withdrew from the meeting after stating that the demands put forward by the Libyan government and Turkey were not acceptable to him.   

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