The Tripoli based Libyan government yesterday condemned what it called the attempt to shut down Sharara oil field. It said it is following up on the technical and security reports it has received regarding the attempt to shut down the Sharara Oil Field, which comes within the framework of new attempts at political blackmail. We emphasize that oil wealth belongs to all Libyans and may not be used as a pressure card to achieve narrow political or personal goals. Initial reports said that the oil filed was closed by the local Fezzan Movement group who had used the closure of the Sharara field to obtain solutions to local grievances. Spanish authorities had, the reports claimed, issued an international arrest warrant for Saddam accused of an arms smuggling operation foiled by Spain earlier this year.
