The stalemate in Libya's civil war between the forces of Colonel Qadhafi and the rebels in eastern Libya continued amid signs that the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) was running short of funds, due to the inability of the east to export any oil. The rebel-held oilfields of Mesla and Sarir were damaged in an attack by Qadhafi's forces and have not produced any oil since then. As a result, the 20,000 bpd Tobruk refinery was almost forced to close in late-May. The east is still able to import some refined products but deliveries have been sporadic. The TNC has appealed to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other countries for donations to enable it to buy fuel and other supplies. Output from the Qadhafi-held part of Libya was estimated in May at 200,000 bpd, none of which was exported.
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