Haftar, Maiteeq agree on ending Libya’s oil blockade, Al-Sarraj rejects

On Friday, warlord Khalifa Haftar announced in a televised statement the ending of oil blockade and resumption of oil production and exports, after over eight months of shutdown and almost 10 billion dollars in financial losses.

The move was seconded by the member of the Presidential Council Ahmed Maiteeq, who at the same time issued a statement saying he and Haftar’s representatives had dialogued the terms that allow Libyan oil to pump once again for what he described as “the greater good of all Libyans.”

The Deal

Maiteeq said in his statement that the agreement to reopen Libyan oil facilities included forming a joint technical committee with Haftar’s representatives to oversee the fair distribution of oil revenues across Libya.

The member of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Haftar’s rival, added that the joint committee will also oversee the payout of all of the debts to the state of Libya from GNA and warlord Haftar; meaning that all the money spent out of Libyan revenues on the war against Tripoli to topple GNA will be covered by the deal so that Haftar walks free of debts.

“The joint committee will continue its work tirelessly until a new national unity government is formed.” Maiteeq explained.

Rejections

Bloomberg said Al-Sarraj had refused the deal made by Maiteeq with Haftar regarding reopening oil facilities in Libya, citing a senior aide to the Head of the Presidential Council.

It also said that the rejection of Al-Sarraj to the deal casts more doubt about whether or not Libya will resume oil production and exports any time soon.

Meanwhile, the commander of the western military zone of the GNA forces Osama Juweili also rejected the deal made by Maiteeq with warlord Haftar, saying the House of Representatives members in Tripoli and the Presidential Council should clarify their stance on this agreement.

Juweili told Libya Alahrar TV Friday that such a clandestine agreement shall eventually fail, adding that those who want Libya to remain united should not have given in for their own personal gains.