Libyan Prime Minister warns of financial disaster if Haftar’s oil blockade continues

“The continuation of the shutdowns will result in a catastrophic financial crisis,” al-Sarraj told reporters in the capital, Tripoli. “Losses from the oil shutdowns have exceeded $1.4bn. The figure is increasing every day.”

The state-run National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Thursday crude output had dropped to 163,684 barrels per day (bpd).

Oil is the main source of national income for the country and before the blockade, Libya was producing 1.2 million bpd.

“Certainly, in light of the continued closure of oil facilities, the 2020 budget will face a deficit and [it] will drop to its lowest levels,” al-Sarraj said.

Fighting has continued in Tripoli despite a call for a truce by Russia and Turkey starting on January 12 and an international summit on Libya in Berlin on January 19 aimed at reducing international interference.

Most of Libya’s oil facilities are in areas controlled by forces loyal to Haftar, who has gradually expanded his power over the past six years with the help of foreign allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia.

Al-Sarraj on Saturday warned that foreign backing for his rival would only “prolong the war and create deeply rooted hatred that will be difficult to overcome”.

His comments came as Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Russia of managing the Libyan conflict “at the highest level” and pledged to continue to support al-Sarraj’s GNA.

The Turkish leader repeated the accusation that Russia has sent mercenaries to support Haftar despite Moscow denying the claims