Libyan Tribes Tasks Haftar with Announcing Resumption of Oil Production

An oil refinery in Libya's northern town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP)
An oil refinery in Libya's northern town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP)
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Libyan Tribes Tasks Haftar with Announcing Resumption of Oil Production

An oil refinery in Libya's northern town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP)
An oil refinery in Libya's northern town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP)

The “tribal movement” in Libya tossed the ball in the court of Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, by declaring that it was tasking him with negotiating with the United Nations and international community the reopening of oil fields.

The east-based tribal leaders entrusted Haftar with finding ways to avoid oil resources from falling into the clutches of terrorist militias. They also called on him to reopen oil fields that have been shut since the beginning of the year.

The leaders met at the Zueitina oil port on Monday, declaring that the Libyan people have a right to benefit from oil revenues and forge ahead and rebuild their country.

LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari welcomed the statement, adding that the military was “studying its next move in wake of this announcement.”

He said that the army always welcomes any move that would help resolve the Libyan crisis and dry up the sources of terrorism financing.

The oil facilities file, which used to be managed by tribes and the people, is now in the hands of the military that has the duty to maintain their security, he stressed.

Meanwhile, Government of National Accord deputy defense minister Salaheddine al-Namroush said his forces will not allow “saboteurs” to meddle with energy resources, including oil fields and ports.

He vowed that they will not fall victim to “exploitation or extortion” or the clutches of “mercenaries and criminal gangs.”

Separately, commander of the Turkish naval forces, Adnan Ozbal, made a surprise visit to Tripoli on Tuesday.

He was received by GNA military officials and visited the Abu Sitta Naval Base amid speculation that he was set to discuss the inauguration of a Turkish naval base in Tripoli.



Lebanon Braces for Repercussions of Iran-Israel Conflict

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)
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Lebanon Braces for Repercussions of Iran-Israel Conflict

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)

Lebanon remained on high political alert amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, as officials worked to assess and contain the potential repercussions of the conflict on the country’s fragile stability.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian emphasized the importance of Lebanon distancing itself from the conflict.

President Joseph Aoun is closely monitoring the unfolding situation and received briefings on the latest developments and the regional and international diplomatic efforts underway to defuse it.

Aoun is in continuous contact with security leaders, in line with the outcomes of a national security meeting held at the Baabda Palace on Saturday, said a statement from the Lebanese presidency.

The president also oversaw efforts to facilitate the return of Lebanese nationals stranded abroad after airlines canceled flights to Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport and neighboring countries closed their airspace due to the rising regional tensions.

Saudi Ambassador Bukhari met with Grand Mufti Derian at Dar al-Fatwa to extend Eid al-Adha greetings and congratulate him on performing the Hajj upon invitation from the Saudi royal protocol.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to discuss Lebanese and regional affairs.

According to a statement from Dar al-Fatwa’s media office, the officials stressed the need for Lebanon to disassociate itself from the Iran-Israel conflict.

They underscored the urgent need for intensified Arab and international diplomatic efforts to curb the language of war and restore rational dialogue. They warned of the dangerous political, economic, and environmental consequences the continued fighting could have on the region.

Despite ongoing Israeli attacks in parts of Lebanon and repeated violations of UN Resolution 1701, the country, they said, must pursue security, peace, and stability.