The Chairman of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanallah has rejected reopening the biggest Libyan oilfield "Sharara" saying the armed group that forced workers out is still in control of the field.

Sanallah added in a video posted on Sunday that the NOC is not going to lift force majeure on Sharara oilfield as the reasons for it are still standing.

"Sharara oilfield is still closed as the people, the armed militia and some other military fighters are still inside it. We have taken legal actions against all of the people involved in this chaos and a lawsuit is going to be lodges at the office of Public Prosecutor against them." Sanallah explained.

Sharara was closed in December 2018 after financial demands by the guards securing the field.

The NOC has announced earlier that it won't lift force majeure on Sharara oilfield's production until it fact-checks the security status in there, replying to the request of the Petroleum facilities Guard's chief to resume work at the field.

Haftar's forces seized control of Sharara oilfield after a deal with the force that was protecting it.

Sanallah said NOC’s conditions for reopening the field, such as the safety for its workers and the departure of the armed group responsible for the field’s closure, had not yet been met, adding that the field is not safe yet.