Political parties in Libya demand equal division of the country’s oil
The UN-backed government and the parallel government led by Khalifa Haftar are divided on the question of who should supervise Libya’s oil exports
The leading political parties in Libya want oil revenues divided equally as the country gets ready to resume oil production.
Currently, General Khalifa Haftar and his forces control the east while the UN-backed government controls the west, including the capital, Tripoli.
Haftar announced that, for the first time since January, his forces will allow the Libyan oil facilities to start operating again. However, he was quick to say that would happen only “with conditions that ensure a fair distribution of revenue”.
Some observers believe the move by Haftar could lead to a comprehensive consensus in Libya.
Demands of citizens
The deputy prime minister of the interim government in the east, Abdisalam al-Badri, said it was a positive step.
He said Haftar’s proposal addresses the demands of all Libyans who want equal distribution of the country’s oil.
Dr al-Badri said revenues from the oil exports will be deposited in special bank accounts until a unified Libyan government can be formed.
He said dividing Libya’s oil equally is very important to the future of the country.
“The decision was clear and very important, as it addressed all the demands of the Libyan people, which are fairness in distribution [of revenues] and not to waste oil resources [on war]),” he said.
Divided front
Meanwhile, a consultant on the oil and gas sector in the interim government, Dr Abduljalil Mayouf, has raised doubts about the arrangement.
He questioned whether the decision would benefit the National Oil Corporation in Tripoli, in the west of Libya, or the National Oil Corporation located in Benghazi, in the east, which he considers the “legitimate” state company.
Mayouf added that in the event of preference for the western Libyan oil corporation the US government, the chief peacekeeper in Libya and a major player in the global oil market, must submit guarantees to ensure that oil revenues will be fairly divided between all regions of Libya.
In turn, the Petroleum Facilities Guard of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) announced that it had granted permission to the oil companies to resume production and export operations from fields and ports.
Announcing Libya’s return to oil exploration, Haftar said the decision is in response to popular demands to improve citizens’ living conditions.
E A Alanore
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