Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) remains the sole, legitimate supplier of state crude despite numerous attempts in recent years to undermine its authority. For now, targeted UN sanctions on illegal sales have proven effective, and have the support of the US, UK, France and Italy. But the desire among eastern-based politicians, militias and tribes to sell cargoes persists - as the latest attempt in June to restart marketing and sales by a rival eastern oil company proved. At stake is the unity of the country, since any momentum in illicit sales could hasten the breakup of the conflict- ridden state (PIW Jul.2’18). Control of the eastern oil ports of Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina and Marsa el-Hariga changed hands among political groups and militias at least four times in June. In a surprise move, Libyan National Army Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who had pledged loyalty to NOC in 2016, retook the ports from a renegade militia but handed control to a rival eastern-based oil company - NOC Benghazi - headed by Faraj Said. The incident lasted just 10 days and eventually saw the ports’ return to NOC, but speculation over Haftar’s motives endures. Having slowly gained recognition as a significant political player, why would he risk his position? Some speculate that he was reminding international actors that his army controls an area that contains roughly 80% of Libya’s oil reserves.
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