WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (KUNA) -- The US voiced its concern late Thursday over the ongoing tensions in southern Libya that have "prolonged the closure of critical oil infrastructure and deprived all Libyans of vital economic resources.
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement "we call on all parties to urgently establish a mutually acceptable security arrangement that will guarantee the safety of National Oil Corporation (NOC) workers and allow oil production at the al-Sharara oil field to resume as quickly as possible for the benefit of all Libyans." The statement affirmed that "Libya's oil facilities, production, and revenues belong to the Libyan people," reiterating that the NOC "must be allowed to resume its work unhindered and that these vital Libyan resources must remain under the exclusive control of the NOC and the sole oversight of the Government of National Accord, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolutions 2259 (2015), 2278 (2016), and 2362 (2017)." "The United States reaffirms its unwavering commitment to stand with all Libyans in our shared fight against terrorism," the statement said.
The statement added "we welcome ongoing efforts to ensure that (IS)-Libya and al-Qaeda are denied safe haven in southern Libya." "We remain committed to using all available tools to sustain pressure against terrorist groups, at the request of and in coordination with the Government of National Accord," the statement remarked. (end) si.mb