Libya’s tribes reopen oilfields under protection from LNA

Nahla Abdelmonem

Libyan tribes are an important component of the conflict in Libya and the political equation in the country.

On June 29, a coalition of Libya’s tribes announced the reopening of oilfields.

The coalition delegated the Libyan National Army (LNA) to guard the revenues of the fields and communicate with international organizations, including the United Nations, to ensure that these revenues would not reach the hands of militants and mercenaries brought to Libya by Turkey with support from the Muslim Brotherhood.

Oil, the tribes said, is an important revenue source for improving the living conditions of all Libyan citizens and reconstructing parts ravaged by war in Libya.

We have to protect this source against those who want to steal it, the tribes said.

The tribes formed a coalition on January 18, a body that decided later to close down the oilfields and stop the export of crude oil to deliver a message to countries participating in the Berlin conference on Libya that they reject the exploitation of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord of oil revenues in bankrolling militias and mercenaries.

Anti-Turkey action

Chairman of the Supreme Council of Libya’s Chieftains Mohamed al-Mesbahi, said Libya’s tribes are ready to defend their country.

All Libyan tribes, al-Mesbahi said, support the LNA and stand side by side with it.

“They are ready to fight against terrorist militias and the mercenaries side by side with the LNA,” al-Mesbahi said.

The Coalition of Libyan Tribes declared on June 29 its support to Egypt’s decision to defend eastern Libya in case the Turkey-backed militias try to cross the Sirte-al-Jufra line.

“Millions of Libyan men will carry arms to repel the Turkish aggression,” the tribes said.

It revealed that tribesmen make the bulk of the LNA.

“We will not leave the Egyptian army defend Libya alone,” the tribes said.