In Libya, oil infrastructure is once again being used as leverage to pressure the Tripoli Government. On Tuesday, residents of Zintan shut down the oil valves in protest over the kidnapping last Wednesday of Brigadier General Mustafa al-Whayshi, the director of the Central Security Department within the intelligence service. This refinery processes around 350,000 barrels of crude per day—approximately a third of Libya’s total production—before it is transported to Italy. Protesters also shut down access roads to Zintan, burning tires as a show of defiance. They have demanded the immediate release of al-Whayshi, threatening to escalate their actions if he is not freed.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 13, 2024 15:24 UTC