Rival govts clash for control of oil ports

Eastern Libyan forces said they had reestablished control over two oil ports where an ousted faction launched a counter-attack yesterday, briefly seizing one of the terminals.

The two ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, were among four seized by forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) on Sept 11-12 from a Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) faction led by Ibrahim Jathran.

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The fighting came as the state-run National Oil Corporation (NOC) prepared to restart oil exports from the ports, blockaded for several years.

LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said pro-Haftar forces had repelled an attack at Ras Lanuf with the help of air strikes, and were pursuing Jathran forces fleeing from Es Sider, where they had taken control earlier in the day. A Libyan oil industry source confirmed that the LNA controlled both the ports.

The clashes raise fears of a new conflict over Libya's oil resources. Jathran's PFG had aligned itself with a UN-backed government in Tripoli, while Haftar is a divisive figure whose opponents accuse of trying establish military rule.

Fighting and political disputes have reduced oil output in the North African country to a fraction of the 1.6 million barrels per day the OPEC member produced before a 2011 uprising.

The NOC said firefighters were tackling a blaze at a previously damaged oil storage tank in Es Sider, and were expected to bring it under control shortly. Pictures from Ras Lanuf showed black smoke billowing from residential areas.

The LNA's seizure of the ports a week ago took place as the Muslim holiday of Eid was starting and faced little resistance.

After moving into Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina and Brega, the LNA said it was handing over control of the terminals to the NOC so that exports could resume.