Libyan oil protection force an illicit oil trade
Tripoli threatens military action against any tanker lifting illegal cargoes
The shut-down of oil-export terminals in Libya is part of an attempt by armed groups protecting the facilities to sell oil directly from the country without the state oil company’s approval, according to well-placed sources familiar with the matter. Ali Zeidan, Libya’s prime minister, has moved to prevent members of the oil-installation protection force selling oil independently of National Oil Company (NOC), threatening military action against any unscheduled tanker entering its waters near the ports of Ras Lanuf and Sidra. The first illegal sale was to involve a shipment of up to 2.2 million barrels, sources said. Following Zeidan’s warning, several vessels that were scheduled with NOC to
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