On Monday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), welcomed the re-opening of the Sharara and El Feel oil fields, after five months of closure.
In a statement, the UN mission said that the oil blockade had needlessly cost the Libyan people over $5 billion in lost oil sales. As well as millions of dollars of indirect losses due to the shutdown of domestic refineries, and damage caused to the idle infrastructure. It stressed that the blockade should be fully lifted across the country, stressing that oil and other natural resources should not in any way, shape or form be militarized as part of the conflict.
As the fighting escalates and encompasses more areas, UNSMIL called on all parties to avoid damaging oil infrastructure or impeding National Oil Corporation (NOC) staff from conducting their official duties. It reiterated that Libya’s natural resources belong to all Libyans, and they are vital to maintain the country’s economy, particularly given the need to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
UNSMIL continues to work, including through the Berlin process, to promote accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in the management of Libya’s economic and financial system. This is to ensure the equitable distribution of national revenue to all citizens