On Sunday evening, the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) in western Libya decided to reopen the Zawiya refinery and the Mellitah oil complex. This occurred after a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, Abdelhamid Dbaiba.
In televised statement, the PFG members announced the reopening of the Zawiya refinery and the Mellitah complex following the closure declared earlier on Sunday. They urged the government to release financial dues owed to them.
Dbaiba issued a decision to determine the salaries of the PFG according to the unified salary scale for Libyan army personnel. However, he did not comment on the decision to close the oil facilities.
Earlier, the PFG has granted officials a 10-day ultimatum to meet their demands. These demands include salary increases for their members and the allocation of bonuses similar to those received by employees of the National Oil Corporation (NOC).
PFG members also demanded administrative and financial integration of the guards under the NOC, implicitly under the Ministry of Defense, but to no avail.
Since the fall of Moammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya’s oil sector has been a focal point of internal conflict and political negotiation. The control over the nation’s oil resources often leading to power struggles among various factions and regions.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
