Libya’s Haftar orders re-opening of energy facilities

Rebel General Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army (LNA), has announced the re-opening of Libya’s oil facilities.

“Haftar has re-opened the ports and facilities to end the problems experienced by Libyans in many areas of life and to protect oil production and export infrastructure,” the newspaper cited Naci el-Mağribi, leader of a militia allied to the LNA, as saying.

Haftar has blocked oil production and exports since January 18 as leverage in his fight against the Tripoli-based, United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by Turkey.

Turkish military support has been critical to the GNA in pushing back a 14-month campaign to capture Tripoli by the LNA, which is backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, among others.

The LNA still controls eastern Libya and much of the south, including most of the country’s main oil fields.

But the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Central Bank, the only bodies allowed to sell Libyan oil under international agreements, are located in Tripoli under the GNA’s control.