CAIRO (AP) — Tribal leaders in southern Libya shut down the county’s largest oil field, authorities said Monday, the latest closure of an oil facility amid a bitter standoff between two rival governments. Oil production at the Sharara field has been stopped and the state-run National Oil Corp. declared force majeure at the field, which produces around 450,000 barrels a day. The corporation called the shutdown of the field an "absurd move” that mirrors the ongoing standoff in the country. Local media also reported that residents in the southeastern district of Whahat announced the closure of all oil facilities in their area, also to pressure Dbeibah to step aside. Along with crude oil production, the NOC said the closures will cause shortages of cooking gas and power supplies to the eastern region, also controlled by Hifter's self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces.

Source: Libya Today April 18, 2022 15:04 UTC