Author: LS
Khums Cement Factory persists its work
The Municipality of Khums announced the reopening of Al Khums Cement Factory after introducing modern technical modifications to face the environmental pollution emitting from the cement manufacturing process.
On its official Facebook page, the municipality clarified that new filters were installed to limit the emissions of dust and gas that results from the production process, stating that the National Company took this step as evidence of its commitment to protect citizens living there from pollution.
UN receives tribesmen’s conditions to lift oil blockade
Today, Gassan Salame said that the United Nations received conditions from tribesmen allied to eastern forces to lift a blockade of eastern oil export ports.
“The tribesmen have sent me their conditions but I have to say that these conditions are quite general and they will be dealt with in the economic tract,” Salame claimed, referring to U.N.-led talks to overcome economic divisions in Libya which has rival governments.
Tripoli port was attacked
Local sources confirmed in a statement to “Sada” economic newspaper that the Port of Tripoli was exposed to missile attacks today.
Two port officials said that vessels including fuel tankers docked at the sea port of the Libyan capital were evacuated.
Eastern Libyan forces, which have been trying to take the capital since April, said they had attacked a Turkish vessel discharging weapons, an eastern military official said.
Presidential Council suspends its participation in the military talks
Today, the Presidential Council announced that it will suspends its participation in the ongoing military talks in Geneva and asked the international community to take concrete measures towards current aggression.
“There is no point in any negotiations in the absence of a ceasefire, the return of the displaced, and the guarantee of the capital and other cities’ security,” the Presidential Council underscored, insisting that it is not enough to issue statements of condemnation.
“The violations committed by Haftar require warrants of arrest and habeas corpus procedures at the internal and international levels, the Presidential Council added.
Shells over Mitiga Airport
Yesterday, Mitiga International Airport resumed air traffic after a two-hour suspension due to a shelling. In a statement published yesterdad on its official Facebook page, the airport’s administration confirmed the landing of several shells on the airport simultaneously with the departure of a Libyan Airlines flight heading to Tunisia. The airport officials also stated that the flight was delayed while the plane was on the runway ready for take-off.
Oil demands fell
Today, oil fell to below $57 a barrel, pressured by concerns over the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China on oil demand and a lack of any further action by OPEC and its allies to support the market.
Brent crude LCOc1 was down $1.04 at $56.63 a barrel by 09:40 GMT. The contract had rallied in the previous five sessions. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 fell 83 cents to $51.22.
“Oil prices remain under pressure as energy traders may have been overly optimistic as to the crude demand impact of the coronavirus, and on fading optimism that OPEC+ will come through with deeper production cuts in March,” Edward Moya, senior market analyst at broker OANDA, announced.
Libya: unceasing drop in oil production
As far as current fuel situation is concerned, National Oil Corporation confirms a drop in production as a result of the blockade of ports and pipelines to the current level of 135,745 barrels per day, as of Monday February 17, 2020, with losses exceeding 1 billion USD at 1,616,886,132 USD.
NOC also stated that it continues to supply hydrocarbons to the Central and Eastern regions in sufficient quantities to meet the transport and domestic needs of citizens.
National Oil Corporation stressed that shtorage facilities in Tripoli and some surrounding areas, as well as in Southern regions, are still facing supply shortages due to the security situation.
Zallaf Company follows up on Erawin field development project
In a statement issued yesterday by Libya’s National Oil Corporation, Zallaf Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company, a subsidiary of NOC, opened a new operations office in Awinat on Sunday February 16, 2020, in order to follow up on the development of the Erawin field adjacent to the city.
NOC stated that the company has already started operations in the region; and production at the field is expected to start by the end of 2020. The field’s production capacity will be 16,000 barrels per day upon completion of the project.
Khalifa Rajab, chairman of the Zallaf company’s Management Committee, said: “The opening of the Awinat office represents a significant step for our company. I am glad that this office will create new job opportunities for local people in the south, and I hope other developments in the future for the area. We are looking forward to starting production at the Erawin field and developing new fields in the region”.
The opening ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, representatives of civil society organizations, security institutions and officials from the Ghat municipality. The Zallaf company was represented by Mr Abu Baker Toulaibah, operations manager, Mr Hazem Doghman, acting manager of the Services Department, Mr Hatem Tabighah, from the Sustainable Development and Engineering and Projects Departments, and Mr Azri Ghadino, from the Safety and Security Department.
Libya’s NAtional Oil Corporation also stated that Hussain Al Kouni, president of the Tuareg Elders’ Council, delivered his opening remarks before the opening ceremony. Mr Abu Baker Toulaibah, Zallaf’s operations manager, also gave a speech in which he expressed his appreciation for the support received from the residents of the region, allowing the company to implement its plans.
A substantial budget to South East and West regions
Today, in a statement to “Sada” economic newspaper, Mayor of Sabha Hamed Al Khaili said that the interim government in Benghazi promised to allocate a substantial budget to the regions of the south east and west during 2020.
AL Khaili emphasized that the interim government’s prime minister sent a delegation to the south region to meet the region’s needs in order to grant a financial support and launch different projects.
“The city of Sabha and other cities witness a financial and commercial blockade, in addition to the shortages of fuel and gas supplies from the GNA,” he said
Al Khaili also clarified that Sabha municipality cannot provide services to citizens as it has no financial resources after freezing its bank accounts a year ago.
Mayor of Sabha expects that the situation in the southern region is heading toward improvement through the GNA’s promises to focus on supporting the South in 2020.
Moreover, he stressed that the South should benifit from its right of wealth through the fair distribution of the state’s resources.