The United Nations called for the depoliticization of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC). It stressed the importance of having “unified, independent, and stable institutions in the country.”
This was stated by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.
“Stephanie Williams, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary‑General, has been dealing with the parties and trying to work with them. I think, from her perspective, what is important is that Libya has stable, unified institutions, including the National Oil Corporation, and we’re trying to work with them to obtain the necessary agreements for that,” Haq said.
“What I want everyone to bear in mind is that we support the unity, integrity, and independence of the NOC, and we want all of the parties to refrain from politicizing this institution. The oil of Libya belongs to all of the Libyan people, and it shouldn’t be used for political gain by any one group or another. And so, along those lines, we would want all parties to avoid incendiary rhetoric and any provocative acts, so that we can continue on the path towards security and stability,” he added.
On Thursday, the British Embassy in Libya stressed that the independence and integrity of the NOC must be protected and respected.
“The UK shares the views and concerns of our US colleagues. The independence and integrity of the NOC must be protected and respected,” the Embassy tweeted.
The US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland expressed his deep concern over the developments surrounding the NOC, after the dismissal of its Chairman Mustafa Sanalla.
He said that “the NOC is vital to Libya’s stability and prosperity, and has remained politically independent and technically competent under the leadership of Sanalla.”
Norland confirmed that the reported replacement of the NOC Board of Directors “may be contested in court but must not become the subject of armed confrontation.”
“The key public policy considerations for Libya in this regard appear to be oil and gas production (which) is actually being restored, in order to address urgent issues affecting the lives of every Libyan, especially electricity shortages,” Norland tweeted.