Libya´s National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Thursday expressed concern about the growing military presence in an oil port in the east of the country.
The National Oil Corporation said in a statement on its website that it "expresses its deep concern about the growing military presence in the port of Ras Lanuf oil, and the possibility of becoming a military target, these actions may force the institution to withdraw its employees for their safety. "
A group of 80 soldiers, led by General Abdullah Nur al-Din al-Hamali, entered the port and designated one of the buildings inside it, and allocated it for military use.
They also tried to supply a warship with fuel, staff staff meals, and designated 31 private homes for employees of the port operator, the statement said.
"The Foundation works for all Libyans, and we will never accept a situation in which one of the parties to the conflict is using the facilities of the institution, and the presence of forces inside our facility poses a serious threat to the staff," said Mustapha Sinnallah, chairman of the National Oil Corporation. .
He pointed out that this presence may make the port a potential military target, "threatening to destroy Libya´s oil infrastructure - and the possibility of an economic crisis."
The National Oil Corporation also reiterated its non-bias towards any party to the conflict and its commitment to neutrality.
The port of Ras Lanuf is controlled by the National Army forces led by Marshal Khalifa Hafter.
The oil crescent, 500 km east of the capital Tripoli, has the largest stock of Libyan oil and the three largest oil shipping ports outside Libya (Zouitina, Ras Lanuf and Sidra).
Libya, rich in oil, has been plagued by security chaos and a power struggle since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
