Guards at Libya Oilfields Halt Exports over Unpaid Wages

A photo shows Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf, Libya, Oct. 19, 2019. (Reuters)
A photo shows Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf, Libya, Oct. 19, 2019. (Reuters)
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Guards at Libya Oilfields Halt Exports over Unpaid Wages

A photo shows Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf, Libya, Oct. 19, 2019. (Reuters)
A photo shows Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf, Libya, Oct. 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard responsible for protecting Libyan oil ports declared on Sunday that they have halted exports in protest against unpaid wages and unmet pledges.

The force is affiliated with the east-based Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar. Sunday’s move may pose a political and media embarrassment to Haftar, whose forces control vital oil ports in eastern Libya.

The guards announced the halt in production at the Es Sider, Hariga and Ras Lanuf ports until wages are paid and work conditions are improved.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland weighed in on the latest political efforts to resolve the North African country’s conflict.

In a statement carried by the US embassy, he said: “Members of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission have displayed courage and honor in standing up for the demands of the Libyan people that foreign forces leave and the October ceasefire agreement be fully implemented.”

“I similarly urge Libyans to support the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum to complete its work and am encouraged by the commencement of a one-week period for the submission of candidacies for the positions of a three-member Presidential Council and of prime minister, closing on 28 January,” he continued in a series of tweets.

“Libya has an opportunity to make real progress, culminating in elections in December of this year,” he said.

In regards to the polls, head of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, visited on Sunday the headquarters of the High National Election Commission in Tripoli where he was briefed on the preparations to hold the elections.

He reiterated his pledge that the government will spare no effort to ensure that the commission fulfills its duties.

The GNA has already dedicated 50 million dinars to hold the polls. Some 2.5 million Libyans are registered to vote.



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.