Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) announced on Wednesday reopening of the Sharara oil field after Faiez Sarraj, head of the Presidency Council, concluded an urgent visit to the field in Ubari city.
During the visit, Sarraj met with representatives of the Fezzan Anger Movement as well as security and military leaders in the region. During the meeting, the president asserted his understanding of the reasons for the protest and the demands that he considered as legitimate rights.
He stressed that all citizens have the right to express their opinion peacefully, however, he completely rejected posing any threat to the safety of the Libyans or the country’s facilities.
Sarraj said that dialogue was the only way to resolve the problem and refused any accusations against the protest movement members without strong evidence.
The president outlined the measures taken to improve facilities and services in the southern region, and provide the needs of citizens in the framework of the national campaign to save the south announced last mid-month, which also includes securing the southern border.
He also explained the efforts made for months to implement a development program in the area.
The president said that “political failure and the conflict among politicians are the major cause of the economic and security crises. The issues are interrelated, and the negative impact is not limited to the south.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the president expressed his appreciation of the spirit of national responsibility that allowed the resumption of work in the field. He noted that the efforts of the Fazzan Anger Movement should be directed to the building and development of Fezzan.
Sarraj has arrived in the Sharara field this morning, accompanied by a delegation of representatives of finance, interior, and electricity ministries, as well as a number of security and military leaders.
The meeting came two days after the National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared a force majeure on Sharara oilfield, which has been seized by the Fezzan Anger Movement.
Since 8 December, Libyan tribesmen have protested at Sharara oilfield and threatened to cease production until their demands are fulfilled.
The movement demands the securing of the road linking al-Jafra and al-Shuwairf towns to Fezzan, preserving Fezzan’s water and oil resources, and providing basic medical needs including equipment for Fezzan’s hospitals, according to the group’s spokesperson Mohammad Maighal.
Living conditions in Fezzan have deteriorated over years due to tribal clashes and a lack of security.
The field in Libya’s remote southwest produces around 300,000 barrels per day (bpd). It has suffered shutdowns caused by security problems, including raids, kidnappings and blockages by tribesmen and state-paid guards.
