TRIPOLI: The United States’ ambassador to Libya warned rival actors on 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. "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. The envoy said Washington supports "concrete steps to end the misuse of economic tools as part of political disputes, by any side." His comments also come as US inflation has soared to highs not seen in decades, due in part to elevated global oil prices.

Source: Libya Today June 30, 2022 00:55 UTC