Libya reopens four ports, resumes oil exports

A new agreement to reopen the ports of RasLanuf, Zuwetina, Es Sidra and Bregain Libya has been signed by the country’s Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), under the leadership of Executive Director Ibrahim Jadhran, and key members of the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Presidential Council.

The PFG is the singular paramilitary security force within Libya entrusted to secure the oil infrastructure of the country. It employs over 20,000 personnel covering a region of over 170,000 sq km and 212 separate oil, gas and port facilities.

This means national oil exports activities will resume as requested by the Presidential Council.This move also reiterates the recognition of the GNA by the PFG and willingness to cooperate for the future of Libya. The negotiations came just a few days after a visit to RasLanuf by UN Special Envoy Martin Kobler who met personally with Jadhran to discuss the economic future of Libya and how the PFG can and should play a vital role.

The physical security of the regional infrastructure to include the ports was made possible through extensive counter terrorism operations conducted by the PFG from June 2015 to July 2016 and resulted in the liberation of the cities of Bin Jawad, Nawfaliyah, and Harawah from ISIS and virtual elimination of terrorist activities in the critical Oil Crescent Region of Libya.

Jadhran stated, “We again reiterate our unwavering support for the Government of National Accord and would do whatever is necessary to protect Libya’s economic prosperity and bring peace and stability to the Libyan people.”

The resuming of port operations in the region is expected to bring in an additional US$700 million in revenue to the struggling Libyan economy over the next several months.