European Union to block illegal selling of Libyan oil

The European Union said will continue to counter any attempt to trade Libyan oil outside the internationally recognised official channels.

The European Union’s spokeswoman for foreign affairs, Maja Kocijančič , said the EU had consistently opposed any attempt to sell or purchase Libyan oil outside the official channels managed by the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC).

“The oil infrastructure, production, and export need to remain under the exclusive control of the NOC, with all oil revenues transferred to the Central Bank of Libya (CBL).” She added.

According to the EU statement, recent statements calling for oil exports from the Eastern oil terminals to be approved by entities other than the legitimate NOC are therefore unacceptable and contravene UN Security Council Resolutions.

“Any illegal action that may jeopardise the country’s oil industry must be avoided.” The EU added.

Days ago, the commander of the self-styled army in eastern Libya Khalifa Haftar, handed over the authority and control on the oil terminals t the parallel and illegitimate NOC in Benghazi.