A call for military action has been made after a rival government took control of key hubs in Libya’s “oil crescent”.
Libya’s internationally backed government, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), called on allies to join them in protecting and defending the key ports.
A rival force from the eastern region and led by forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar took control of the ports of Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf yesterday. A spokesman for the unrecognized eastern authority said the takeover was aimed at “regaining full control of the oil crescent”.
The spokesman said: “The government calls on all the people of the oil crescent area – including those who were in the oil installations guards – to join the army or return to their homes.”
However, the GNO made their own call to action writing on Facebook that all “military forces” join the government “to protect and defend the oil installations and terminals and to carry out their military and national duties bravely and without hesitation”.
The two ports have a capacity of 700,000 barrels of oil per day. However, the pair have been closed for months as the country continues face political uncertainty.
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