Libyan oil producer says concerned over “military presence” in oil terminal

Libyan oil producer says concerned over “military presence” in oil terminal

TRIPOLI, June 14 (NNN-Xinhua) — Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Thursday expressed concerns over “an increased military presence” at an oil terminal in eastern Libya, saying such presence is “potentially making it a military objective.”

“These actions could result in the withdrawal of NOC personnel from the port for their safety,” the NOC said in a statement.

Dozens of military personnel entered the Ras Lanuf terminal earlier this month, took over a building and 31 dormitories of oil workers, and attempted to fuel a fighter jet, the statement said.

“The presence of forces inside the terminal represents an unacceptable risk to employees,” said NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla. “This renders the terminal a potential military target, thereby risking the destruction of Libyan oil infrastructure and the consequential economic crisis.”

The Ras Lanuf oil terminal is part of Libya’s “oil crescent,” a region that contains the country’s largest oil ports and is controlled by the east-based army, led by General Khalifa Haftar.

NNN-Xinhua

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