Libya violence: Gunmen storm oil corporation building

BBC ^ | 10 September 2018

[BenLurkin]

An armed group has stormed the Tripoli headquarters of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) in Libya.

Security forces clashed with the armed men at the landmark building in the centre of the city, and blasts and gunfire could be heard, witnesses say.

A security official at the site said at least two staff members and two gunmen have been killed in the attack. Last week, the UN announced that a truce between warring militias had been agreed in the capital.

A UN-backed government is nominally in power in Tripoli but militias occupy much of the rest of the country.

…

The NOC represents the core of what has kept Libya afloat over the last seven years of anarchic rule and prevented it from being branded as a failed state - it is the state's money-maker.

The National Oil Corporation in Tripoli is the only internationally recognized oil body - they have consistently been the only institution that is in control of global oil sales from the conflict-ridden country. But like other government institutions, it has not been immune from the divisive, internal regional politics that has come to define Libya over the years. It too has a parallel - but paralysed - rival in the East of the country. However, the head of the NOC, Mustafa Sanalla, who was rescued in today's attack, managed to find allies in armed groups where even the government has failed.

His relationship with East Libya's armed forces, which has had its ups and downs, has largely allowed the NOC to keep the oil and gas flowing from most parts of Libya despite the chaos and insecurities.

[Parley Baer]

Thank You Obama for this mess.

[headstamp 2]

The ARAB SPRING of failed states.

Thankfully this was beaten back in Egypt.

[Colorado Doug]

Well now! HERE is something that obama can take some credit for.