Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) denied any smuggling operations took place from its oil ports, and called for greater accuracy in reporting the news.
The NOC stated that several social media platforms reported a correspondence on behalf of the Corporation regarding suspicions of illegal smuggling of oil and its derivatives. “The Corporation confirms that this correspondence is false, and there were no smuggling operations from the ports exporting oil and its derivatives,” the statement said.
The NOC called on all websites and social media platforms to “investigate its accuracy, and to obtain news and information from reliable sources.” It noted that all data and news are published through its official platforms.
The Corporation said that it will take all legal measures against “anyone who seeks to distort this institution for cheap political purposes.” It added that it “deals with complete transparency and professionalism in transferring information to the media and public opinion.”
Earlier, Libya’s Minister of Oil, Mohamed Aoun said that a new gas line could be extended to Italy within four to six months.
Notably, Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwaij met with representatives of the southern region to discuss the fuel shortage in the country. Representatives of the Brega Oil Marketing Company, and representatives of fuel distribution companies participated in the meeting.
The meeting stressed the need to reorganize fuel stations, in order to ensure a fair and sufficient distribution mechanism, without issues.
Last month, 2,275 tons of smuggled oil from Libya were seized by Albanian authorities off the Port of Durres.
The oil tanker was intercepted by the Albanian Coast Guard, who escorted the vessel to the West Terminal of the Port.
Police then announced the seizure, worth about $2.2 million dollars. As well as the arrest of four crew members, of Libyan and Syrian nationality.
The Albanian authorities announced that the investigation into the ship “had been extended for several months and was finalized with the arrest of the ship’s captain, and the crew members”.