Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha

The Libyan Interior Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fathi Bashagha said an Arab country - without revealing the name - is involved in the crime of blockading Libyan oil and shutting down Sharara oilfield by funding Russian Wagner Group mercenaries.

Bashagha said on Twitter that the control of Russian mercenaries over Libyan oil is a dangerous threat to the Libyan national security and to the interests of US and European companies working in Libyan oil sector.

The Libyan Interior Minister called on the European Union to list Wagner Group that is linked to the Kremlin for sanctions against entities supporting and sponsoring terrorism after its elements had committed several crimes against humanity in Libya.

Meanwhile, The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) said Friday it was deeply concerned by the presence of Russian and other foreign mercenaries inside Sharara oilfield - Libya's largest - after a convoy of vehicles entered the field on the evening of Thursday June 25, 2020 and met with representatives of the Haftar's Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG).

Relatedly, the US embassy in Libya reaffirmed Washington's full support to the NOC, saying there is an unprecedented campaign supported by foreign powers to undermine the energy sector in Libya and prevent the resumption of oil production, and regretted that the Libyan parties were unable to reach a solution that would lift the blockade on oil and gas.

The US embassy called for allowing the NOC to immediately resume its operations as they are a crucial step to restore Libyan sovereignty and a decisive assurance to prevent further manipulation from outside parties.