Western diplomats are increasingly concerned that the fighting raging in Libya will severely damage the coastal oil infrastructure, the economic lifeblood of the country. They appeal for calm as Libya descends into a bloody civil war with rival sides battling for control of the hugely lucrative Libyan oil terminals. The call comes after the Islamist-led Benghazi Defense Brigades captured the oil export terminals at Sidra and Ras Lanuf. The oil terminals had been shut for the previous two years while under the control of the rival Petroleum Facilities Guard. Following the death of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has descended into chaos, with no central government.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 08, 2017 17:37 UTC