Libyan coup leader General Khalifa Haftar has threatened to suspend oil production and exports following a recent armed attack on the headquarters of the National Oil Company (NOC) in Tripoli, further straining the country’s fragile political climate.
Haftar’s eastern-based administration in Benghazi issued a warning after armed assailants stormed the NOC building on Wednesday and demanded payment for security services. Although the clashes lasted about 30 minutes and did not disrupt operations, they raised new concerns about the security of Libya’s vital oil infrastructure.
The National Unity Government, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, condemned “repeated attacks” on oil facilities and warned that further incidents could lead to a declaration of force majeure on production facilities or even the relocation of the NOC headquarters to a more secure location.
Libya has the largest proven oil reserves in Africa, making its energy sector a critical asset and a frequent point of contention in the country’s ongoing power struggles. Control over oil revenues has long fueled rivalries between groups in the east and west of the country.
The latest incident comes as violence intensifies in Tripoli, where clashes have erupted between militias loyal to Dbeibah and opposition groups. The rising unrest has fueled fears of a wider conflict in the country.