Three Suspects Arrested in Raid on Libya’s State Oil Company, Attorney General Announces

TRIPOLI (The News Pulse) – Authorities have apprehended three individuals suspected of raiding the main offices of Libya’s national oil corporation in Tripoli, according to statements made by the nation’s chief prosecutor on Thursday. This development came one day following threats from an opposing administration based in eastern Libya to invoke force majeure on oilfields and harbors due to attacks on the company.

Based in Tripoli, the National Oil Corporation operates under the jurisdiction of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity. Meanwhile, an alternative administration in Benghazi within the eastern region lacks international recognition. However, many of this significant oil-producing nation’s key oil fields remain predominantly controlled by Eastern Libya’s military commander, Khalifa Haftar.

The NOC had earlier refuted claims that its corporate headquarters were invaded, describing them as "entirely untrue." They also cited their interim leader as saying it was merely "a minor personal disagreement that took place in the lobby."

However, the administration based in the east has warned that they might move the NOC's headquarters temporarily to secure locations like Ras Lanuf and Brega, both areas under their control.

As stated by the attorney general in an official release, 'The public prosecution has examined the evidence related to the assault on the corporation’s main office, conducted a thorough inspection of the location, analyzed the video recordings from during the event, and listened to statements provided by individuals who were present.'

The defense ministry transferred custody of the three suspects after being requested to apprehend the additional individuals involved in the incident, according to the attorney general.

According to an announcement made by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Wednesday, the country’s daily production of crude oil over the last 24 hours stood at 1,389,055 barrels, which is considered typical for this period.

Disruptions have frequently affected Libya’s oil production throughout the tumultuous ten years starting from 2014, after the nation split into two opposing administrations—one based in the east and one in the west—following the NATO-supported revolt that removed Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

(Reported by Ahmed Elumami and Ahmed Tolba, edited by Deepa Babington)