Libyan protestors block oil valves demanding release of general
Residents of Zintan, Libya, shut down key oil destruction valves on November 12th to protest the abduction of a general, according to the Africa News and agencies.
Brigadier general Mustafa al-Whayshi, head of the Central Security Department, was kidnapped on November 6th, and his captors have yet to be identified, although local leaders in Zintan have blamed the Dbeibah government and the presidential council.
READ: Libya: Protesters continue to halt gas and oil supply
The streets of Zintan were flooded wit armed vehicles as demonstrators moved to support protestors who had already closed valves which connected the Sharara and El Feel oil fields in the Zawiya refinery. The latter is crucial to Libya’s exports of oil.
About 350,000 barrels of oil are processed at the refinery per day, accounting for almost a third of Libya’s oil production.
Protestors have burned tires and blocked roads, and are warning of further escalation if Al Whayshi is not immediately released.
READ: Libya: Protestors shut oilfield over pay row
The kidnapping has been condemned by members of Libya’s intelligence services, and linked it to a climate of intimidation aimed at obstructing national security investigations, especially those which involve corruption and militias.
Africa News
