Fighting closes airport and oil terminal

Libya

TRIPOLI, July 16, 2014 – Libya’s return to oil export markets is under threat after weekend rocket attacks closed the international airport and the 60,000-barrel-per-day Brega port was shutdown Saturday by protesting guards.

On Tuesday the Libyan government was reported to be considering asking for foreign troops to help end fighting between liberal and Islamist militias. The UN withdrew its last personnel on Monday.

Rebels who two weeks ago opened the 560,000-barrel-per-day oil export terminal of Es Sider and the Ras Lanuf refinery said that the protest by militiamen serving as guards at Brega would not affect their commitment to returning the facilities to full output.