UNSMIL has expressed deep concern over the current efforts to disrupt or impair oil production in Libya.
“This move would have devastating consequences first and foremost for the Libyan people who depend on the free flow of oil for their well-being.” UNSMIL said in a statement on Saturday.
UNSMIL added that the shutdown will also have terrible knock-on effects for the country’s already deteriorated economic and financial situation.
The mission also urged all Libyans to exercise maximum restraint while international negotiations continue to broker an end to Libya’s longstanding crisis, including recommending measures to ensure transparency in the allocation of resources.
UNSMIL reiterated as well the importance of preserving the integrity and neutrality of the Libyan National Oil Corporation.
Loyalists to Khalifa Haftar closed on Friday Zueitina oil terminal and threatened to blockade oil exports at all oil terminals in the country.
An exclusive source from the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) has confirmed that the NOC will on Saturday halt all crude exports from all ports and terminals in central and eastern Libya.
The source told Libya Alahrar TV on Saturday that the commander of the east-based Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) Naji Al-Maghrabi and the commander of Sirte operations room – both under Haftar’s command – had ordered the staffers at the oil terminals to halt exports.
According to the source, Libya’s oil production will be down by at least 700.000 barrels per day; that is worth over 47 million dollars a day.