The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) said Friday it was deeply concerned by the presence of Russian and other foreign mercenaries inside Sharara oilfield – Libya’s largest – after a convoy of vehicles entered the field on the evening of Thursday June 25, 2020 and met with representatives of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG).
The NOC chairman, Mustafa Sanalla, commented on the incident by saying Libya’s oil is for the Libyan people, and he completely rejects attempts by foreign countries to prevent the resumption of oil production.
“It is noteworthy that many countries are themselves benefitting from the absence of Libyan oil from global markets. Some of them cynically express their public regret for Libya’s continued inability to produce oil while all the time working in the background to support blockading forces.” Sanalla remarked.
He added that Libya and its oil sector do not need Russian and other foreign mercenaries in Libyan oilfields as their goal is to prevent oil production.
“We need patriotic, professional, and independent security forces who will facilitate the resumption of oil production for the benefit of all the Libyan people, with revenues allocated fairly and transparently across the whole of Libya.” He added.
“While foreign mercenaries continue to be paid vast sums of money to prevent the NOC from carrying out its essential duties, the rest of the Libyan population suffers, not just through the absence of oil revenues but also through the loss to the nation of the disastrous decay of our oil infrastructure through corrosion and the inability of NOC staff to carry out essential maintenance,” Sanalla indicated.
Nigeria seeks cooperation with Libya to address the arms proliferation crisis
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