The Tripoli HQ of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) on 10 September came under sustained armed attack with two employees killed and 10 injured in an assault later claimed by Islamic State. NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla, who has not shied from criticism of corruption in other parts of Libya’s state bureaucracy (MEES, 24 August), escaped from the building unhurt. The attack came just days after a truce ended fighting in and around the capital which had closed the airport and damaged jet fuel storage facilities. Renewed fighting again shut the airport from 12 September.
“This incident serves to demonstrate the fragile security situation in our country and the need for additional measures to ensure NOC is able to withstand [attack from] those that seek to halt Libya’s recovery,” Mr Sanalla said in an NOC statement. Libya’s oil output has risen over the past year but, whilst Mr Sanalla says the latest incidents have not impacted production, gains remain uncertain (MEES, 7 September). (CONTINUED - 161 WORDS)