Libya sends out warning signs

Uncertainty over the fate of Tripoli and recent statements by the government there are sending negative messages to IOCs

A shudder went through international oil companies in May when Libya's Tripoli government abruptly suspended 40 foreign companies, including Total. The announcement, via a hand-written decree from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), also named non-energy players Alcatel, Thales, Siemens and a division of Nokia. Economy minister Abdulaziz Issawi gave no reason for the decree, but diplomats see it as punishment meted out to European governments for their lack of support for the GNA in its battle for Tripoli against forces of the rival Tobruk government and its commander General Khalifa Haftar. Compounding the confusion, the GNA changed its mind hours later, saying the companies