| Libya NTC Officially Recognises Syrian Opposition 19/10/2011 19:18:00 | ||
| Libya’s Transitional National Council, NTC, officially recognised the Syrian opposition council on Wednesday as the legitimate authority in Syria. This recognition follows months of unrest against Syrian President Bashar Al Assad that has left over 3,000 civilians dead.Libya’s interim government said in a statement: “The NTC expresses its full recognition of the Syrian National Council as the legitimate ruler of Syria.”Zueitina Oil Restarts ProductionMeanwhile, as fighting continues in former Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi’s hometown of Sirte, and with the NTC commanders claiming it won’t be long now before the whole city is under the interim government’s control, the Libyans’ morale was further boosted Wednesday with the news that Zueitina Oil Co., has become the latest Libyan oil company to restart crude production.The National Oil Corporation, NOC, chairman Nuri Berruien said in an interview that the output from this oilfield that resumed production about two weeks ago, is now pumping about 30,000 barrels a day, that is, about half its prewar level of 60,000 barrels a day. Occidental Petroleum Corp. OXY +0.78% and OMV AG have minority stakes in Zueitina.The news follows an announcement Tuesday by Germany’s Wintershall Holding GmbH that it had restarted 20,000 barrels a day of oil production at Libyan concessions it jointly owns with Russia’s OAO Gazprom . State-owned Arabian Gulf Oil Co., or Agoco, France’s Total SA TOT +0.09% and Italy’s Eni SpA E +0.16% resumed production last month.Libya is now producing about a quarter of its prewar output of 1.6 million barrels a day, as oilfields are brought back on line following ousting former Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi.Berruien also said that Agoco, which operates several fields in the east of the country, is in the process of restarting production from its Hamada and Beida oilfields. Agoco had said that corrosion of oilfield facilities had delayed the resumption of output at the two fields, which had a prewar production of 10,000 barrels a day each.Berruien said that since it started producing oil again last month, Agoco has shipped a total of 4 million barrels in tankers from its export terminal of TobrukSome of Libya’s production, however, isn’t reaching international markets but satisfying the country’s own needs as it returns to normal.Sources said that the first shipment of the 41,000-barrels-a-day Al-Jurf, which restarted operations last month, went to the Zawiyah refinery and the second will follow suit to the same plant in a couple of days. A spokesman for Total, which owns a stake in Al-Jurf, confirmed the first tanker.Berruien also said that Libya will restart production from its Ras Lanuf oil refinery towards the end of the year, when additional production from Agoco and Zueitina fields that supply the refinery is high enough. Ras Lanuf is the largest refinery in the country, with a capacity of 220,000 barrels a day.Some oil fields, however, have yet to restart due to security concerns. The 50,000-barrels-a-day Mabruk field, which Total shares with Libya’s NOC hasn’t restarted because the owners are waiting for Al Qathafi’s last stronghold Sirte, 120 kiolmetres north, to fall. A spokesman for Total, which has a stake in Mabruk, said security was its first priority. | ||
Libya NTC Officially Recognises Syrian Opposition
**Amin Ahmed** is a Libyan journalist and contributor at TripoliPost, reporting on current affairs, business, and regional developments. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to fair, balanced journalism, he delivers stories that keep readers informed about Libya and the world beyond its borders. He can be reached at amin.ahmed@tripolipost.com
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