LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Libyan Parliament, Issa Al-Araibi, voiced his full support behind the Libyan government’s decision to declare a state of force majeure on all oil fields and ports.
The government, led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, made the announcement citing security threats as the reason for the shutdown. In a televised statement, Prime Minister Hammad stated that the decision was in response to recent attacks on leaders, employees, and departments of the Central Bank of Libya. These attacks were reportedly carried out by groups acting outside the law, with alleged backing from the Presidential Council, which the Benghazi-based government accuses of acting without legitimate authority. Libyan Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Haftar underscored the importance of respecting the Central Bank of Libya and cautioned against illegal interference in its operations. During a meeting with Stephanie Khoury, the acting head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Haftar reiterated his stance on protecting the integrity of the Central Bank of Libya, emphasizing that any actions undermining the institution would not be tolerated.
This sudden development has had an immediate impact on the global energy markets. The global oil prices jumped by 3%, sparking concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.
The head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Libyan Parliament Al-Araibi stated that the force majeure declaration is a necessary reaction to the Presidential Council’s recent unilateral decisions, which he believes endanger the country’s security. The House of Representatives has not only endorsed the government’s move but also acted to annul the Presidential Council’s decrees, a stance supported by the judiciary. He criticised the Presidential Council’s unilateral actions as illegal and perilous, stressing that resolving the current crisis requires a fair distribution of Libyàs oil revenues across its three main regions: Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan.
Libya, home to some of the largest oil reserves in Africa, has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains divided, with rival administrations in Tripoli and Benghazi both claiming legitimacy. This political division has frequently spilled over into the oil sector, the lifeblood of Libyàs economy. The force majeure declaration, which halts oil production due to extraordinary circumstances, underscores the deepening conflict between Libyàs rival factions.
– Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).
