Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) said Wednesday that the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) - loyal to Khalifa Haftar - prevented an NOC tanker from loading crude oil from Es Sider port.
The NOC said earlier that the tanker was heading to the port to load the shipment, calling on all parties to cooperate and allow it to be loaded with crude oil.
"The NOC attempted Wednesday a technical process to load the very large crude oil tanker Delta Ocean at Es Sider oil port. Regrettably, the Petroleum Facilities Guard did not allow the tanker to enter the port.” NOC said in a statement.
NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanallah said the NOC was ready to restart oil exports immediately, adding that it reaffirmed its call on all Libyan parties to facilitate its work, in line with the clear Libyan and international consensus that the NOC should lift force majeure and resume its vital mission.
“The NOC is consulting with all parties to find a way forward that will ensure the safety of NOC facilities and personnel”. Sanallah added.
NOC expressed readiness earlier to lift force majeure on Es Sider port, calling on all Libyan parties to support the corporation and allow a tanker on standby at Es Sider oil port to start loading crude oil from storage.
The NOC also demanded in a statement on Wednesday that foreign mercenaries and armed groups leave Es Sider port immediately.
