Yesterday, Libya’s National Oil Corporation issued a report stating that on 16 March, the tanker Gulf Petroleum 4 completed unloading of a cargo of aviation fuel at Benghazi port, where it had arrived on a direct journey from Sharjah in the UAE.

“Under Libyan law all importation of fuel must be carried out by NOC. This shipment was not authorised by NOC and was therefore illegal.” NOC claimed, adding that the authorities in the East of Libya have tried to justify the shipment by claiming untruthfully that NOC discriminates against people in the East by limiting the supply of fuel.

NOC Chairman Sanalla said, “We do not want to create further division or feelings of discrimination and grievance among the people of Libya. In fact, NOC’s highest goals are to maintain the unity of Libya and to serve the interests of all Libyans. Our employees live in all parts of Libya, hold all sorts of political beliefs, and have different preferences on how Libya should be governed. But they are united on this point: Libyan oil and gas production and revenues belong to all Libyans, and should be used to the benefit of all Libyans.”

“With respect to aviation fuel supplies, here are the facts: In the last twelve months the NOC has seen a huge increase in the demand for aviation fuel in the East of Libya. From 2015 to 2018 we supplied around 45,000 to 50,000 metric tonnes of aviation fuel per year to the Eastern region. In 2019 we supplied over 73, 000 tonnes, despite the fact that civil aviation traffic has reduced compared to previous years.” He added.