Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar wants international guarantees for a fair distribution of oil revenues if production resumed, according to informed sources.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Haftar also wants other guarantees for no hostile actions taken against the LNA, and for the Government of National Accord (GNA) forces to respect the ceasefire.
They revealed that regional and international efforts have failed to result in a ceasefire especially with “the military ambition” of GNA forces.
Given the current locations of the warring parties in Sirte, no agreement has yet been finalized regarding a permanent cessation of hostilities, according to the sources.
Turkish-backed GNA, led by Fayez al-Sarraj, wants to increase its presence in the city's vicinity, and also east of Sirte.
The LNA airforce continued its sorties in several areas near the city, and its artillery shelled a number of GNA sites and locations near Buerat el-Hussoun area, west of Sirte.
The tribal elders’ council in southern Libya joined the demands for Haftar to have a say on oil, while the parliament’s defense and national security committee warned against using oil revenues to fund the militias and mercenaries hired to kill Libyans.
However, head of the parliamentary energy committee Issa al-Uraibi revealed that the delay in oil exports was due to the GNA’s reluctance to sign a ceasefire agreement.
Uraibi said in a statement that the committee is looking forward to resuming the exports given that parties adopt proper mechanisms that ensure fair distribution of oil revenues among all Libyans.
Meanwhile, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Wednesday that force majeure continued on oil exports on Hariga, Brega, Zueitina, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports.
NOC issued instructions to all operating companies to prepare for resumption of operations on June 20, in light of ongoing negotiations between GNA and regional countries, under the supervision of the UN and the US.
The Company issued a statement instructing operating companies to call employees into work to prepare for a resumption of maintenance work and output, saying a tanker is approaching Sidra port ready to load crude.
NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanallah also denied all rumors about opening new accounts and distributing revenues to three regions.
“Those rumors are spread by people who are not involved in the negotiations and only reflect their personal points of view. NOC adheres to Libyan laws and procedures.”
He stressed that the NOC's position consists of working to resume production in order to preserve the wealth of the Libyan people and serve its interests.
Earlier, the EU mission to Libya, in agreement with European ambassadors, expressed its support to the NOC in its efforts to resume oil production while also seeking to ensure transparency in the utilization of oil revenues.
"The oil blockade has deprived the Libyan people of over $6 billion in lost revenues and caused damage to important infrastructure since January," according to the delegation.