Libya’s biggest oilfield is now under control of Haftar’s forces

BY Libyan Express Feb 12, 2019 - 13:28

A general view shows Libya’s El Sharara oilfield December 3, 2014. The oilfield remains closed but oil workers are keeping it ready to resume production once a pipeline blockage is cleared, field managers said. Picture taken December 3, 2014. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny (LIBYA – Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST ENERGY) – RTR4GPW8

Eastern forces loyal to Libya’s self-styled army under the command of Khalifa Haftar have taken control of the country’s biggest oilfield – Sharara – and say it is secure and ready to resume production.

Haftar’s self-styled army fanned out in the southwestern Sharara field, people with knowledge of the matter confirmed.

Armed protesters had closed down the 300,000 barrel-per-day deposit in December, demanding more money and investment in the remote region.

“Sharara is completely secure and ready to resume pumping,” LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

He added that the guards at the field handed over the field to our forces peacefully.

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