Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Sunday declared a force majeure with immediate effect at its Sharara oilfield, which can produce up to 300,000 barrels per day, due to protests in the area.
Negotiations are ongoing to resume production as soon as possible, NOC said in a statement.
The closure of the oilfield - one of Libya's largest - has suspended crude oil supplies from the field to the Zawiya terminal, it added.
A force majeure event relieves the parties from performing their obligations due to extraordinary events or circumstances beyond their control.
The field is run by state oil firm NOC with Spain's Repsol, France's Total, Austria's OMV, and Norway's Equinor.
The oil sector in Libya suffered in 2022 from closures that lasted for nearly three months, leading to over 6 billion dinars ($3.59 billion) in losses.
Separately, east-based parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh extended invitations to both Arab and foreign companies to take part in Libya’s ongoing development initiatives.
In a speech during the inauguration of several bridges in Benghazi, he said the reconstruction of the city will benefit all Libyans.
The bridges were reconstructed by the east-based Government of Stability, headed by Osama Hammad.
The city, having weathered intense battles in recent years, stands as a testament to the resilience of the armed forces in combating various forms of terrorism, Saleh added.
In underlining the milestones unveiled in Benghazi, with similar initiatives slated for Derna and flood-affected regions, Saleh emphasized the transformative nature of the ongoing development.
He asserted that these accomplishments not only improve and simplify daily living but also send a resounding message to the global community, signifying the earnest commencement of Libya's development.
Saleh lauded Egyptian companies for carrying out their responsibilities in line with international standards, expressing gratitude to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the Egyptian people for their unwavering support to the Libyan people.
Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar was also attended the ceremony. He underscored the ongoing meticulous efforts dedicated to providing top services to citizens and advancing infrastructure development.
Haftar emphasized an unwavering commitment to precision in work and the expeditious completion of projects.
