Libya’s government is taking strong steps to improve security in the country and boost the return of foreign investment, guests heard at an oil and gas dinner in the north-east last night.
A controversial US film has sparked protests across the Moslem world and a US ambassador and four other Americans were killed in capital Tripoli.
The killing has sparked efforts to increase security and it is hoped the situation in Libya could be better in weeks, said oil and gas consultant Hakim Burshan.
Mr Burshan and Azzam Mesallati, senior adviser to Libya’s oil and gas ministry were speaking at a London Oil Club dinner in the Marcliffe Hotel, in Aberdeen.
Speaking before the event, Mr Burshan said: “Security is a number one priority for the Libyan government and every Libyan. We hope we will see a new security situation in Libya in the next few weeks or as soon as possible.”
Libya has recently appointed a new prime minister, Mustafa Abushagur, who is due to submit a new Cabinet for approval to the general assembly.
The country had regained some stability after the popular uprising, war and overthrow and killing of dictator Colonel Gaddafi last year.
Oil production, which had ground to a halt, has returned to pre-uprising levels of about 1.6million barrels of oil per day, said Mr Burshan, adding the aim was to increase that to 1.8million barrels “in the next year or so”.
BP and others have announced their return to the country, but many contractors had yet to return, said Mr Burshan.