WorldPARIS, AFP -Six Western countries including Britain, the United States and France expressed concerns Wednesday about mounting tensions around the key Libyan oil terminal of Zueitina. Libya's oil sector, the country's main source of income, is managed by the National Oil Company which is split into two rival branches. The National Oil Company said this month it was preparing to resume exports of crude which have been halted for months because of political differences and attacks by jihadists. But the eastern authorities have threatened to bomb oil tankers that approach the Libyan coast without their permission. “It is in the interests of all Libyans that they fully support the efforts led by the GNA to provide these key services to the Libyan people.” Libya's oil reserves are estimated at 48 billion barrels, the largest in Africa.

Source: Sunday Times August 10, 2016 13:41 UTC