On Friday, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) said that it welcomes the statement of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) over the declaration of force majeure at the Marsa al-Hariga terminal.
In the statement the NOC affirmed its neutrality and complete independence from all conflicts. It also called for the need to keep oil away from political disputes “because it is the only source of income in Libya.”
UNSMIL voiced its concern regarding the recent shutdown in oil production at Marsa al-Hariga, indicating that other shutdowns may be imminent. The United Nations mission said that the uninterrupted production of oil, as well as maintaining the independence and impartiality of the NOC remains a vital cornerstone to the economic, social and political stability of Libya.
UNSMIL also called on all parties to ensure that the NOC remains an independent, technocratic, well-resourced institution and to ensure the transparent and equitable management of resources, as set out in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) roadmap, to combat corruption.
Notably, the NOC declared force majeure on crude exports out of Marsa el-Hariga terminal, as production from its key eastern fields is set to fall due to a budget row, it said late on April 19th. The state-owned company said this was “a result of the Central Bank of Libya’s refusal to liquidate the oil sector budget for months.”