The eastern-based Libyan government has warned it may declare force majeure on the country’s oil fields and ports, citing repeated attacks on the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and its subsidiaries.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Parliament-designate government led by Osama Hammad accused armed groups loyal to the rival government in Tripoli of targeting state institutions, particularly those linked to Libya’s vital oil sector. It claimed these actions threaten national stability and undermine ongoing efforts to unify sovereign institutions.
“The repeated assaults on the National Oil Corporation and its affiliates endanger the backbone of Libya’s economy and the livelihoods of its people,” the government said. It added that “such actions jeopardise the only hope for institutional unity in the country.”
The government also raised the possibility of relocating the NOC headquarters from Tripoli to a “safer city” such as Ras Lanuf or Brega, both under its control in the oil crescent region.
It further alleged that the NOC had been coerced into denying the incidents, despite many employees reportedly witnessing them. The eastern government accused international actors, including the UN mission and the US envoy, of remaining silent in the face of escalating threats.
Earlier, the Tripoli-based NOC issued a strong denial of any attack on its headquarters, stating the reports were “completely unfounded” and affirming that operations continue as normal.
