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.
