Al-Nadori Warns Oil Vessels of Entering Libyan Territorial Waters Without Permit

July 26, 2016 - 19:36

The Chief of the General Staff of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives’ army, Abdulraziq Al-Nadori, warned foreign oil vessels of entering the Libyan territorial waters without obtaining a permit, adding that if any of them entered without a prior agreement with the parallel National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Al-Thanni government, they will be a target for the Libyan air force and land forces.

In a statement Tuesday, Al-Nadori urged all oil companies to coordinate with the parallel NOC in Benghazi before they enter the Libyan waters saying an official statement about this issue will be delivered later.

Likewise, Dignity Operation militias led by renegade General Khalifa Haftar and in control of oil fields in Al-Wahat district said they won’t allow oil to be pumped to the oil ports unless there is a coordination struck with Dignity Operation leaders and Al-Thanni government, which is not recognized by the international community.

Earlier, the Presidential Council of the UN-proposed government made a deal with the Chief of the so-called Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), Ibrahim Jodran, who has blockaded oil ports and fields, to re-export oil after three years of shutdown.

On the other hand, the internationally-recognized NOC in Tripoli announced through its CEO, Mustafa Sanallah, its rejection of the deal between Jodran and the Presidential Council as it includes a payment to be given to Jodran, saying this could encourage other armed groups to shut down oil fields and ports to get money.