The United States’ ambassador to Libya warned rival actors Wednesday against using the country’s oil wealth as a political “weapon”, amid an internal blockade that has slashed output since April. “The United States continues to support the vast majority of Libyans who expect elections and demand that the country’s oil wealth be managed responsibly,” ambassador Richard Norland said, according to an embassy statement. Libya, which has Africa’s largest oil reserves, has seen more than a decade of intermittent conflict since the 2011 toppling and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed revolt. “While the ceasefire and dialogue have continued, it is alarming that some narrow interests are using the oil sector as a weapon or have unilaterally made decisions affecting the spending of Libya’s oil revenues,” Norland said. While Haftar’s forces control major oil facilities, revenues are managed by the central bank of Libya, whose head is seen as close to Dbeibah.

Source: Libya Today June 30, 2022 04:56 UTC