In a statement on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Libya voiced concern over the continued shutdown of the country’s oil facilities by tribal groups demanding the departure of incumbent Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.
The embassy indicated, “The United States is deeply concerned by the continued oil shutdown, which is depriving Libyans of substantial revenues, contributing to increasing prices.”
The oil shutdown “undermines international confidence in Libya as a responsible actor in the global economy,” the statement warned.
“To address how Libya’s revenues should be spent,” the US Embassy also renewed its call for the creation of a temporary Libyan financial mechanism, in the absence of an agreed national budget.
Libya’s Oil Minister Mohamed Oun indicated on Tuesday that Libya’s oil exports will be resumed soon.
Last week, in a bid to pressure Dbeibeh to hand over power to the newly appointed government of Fathi Bashagha, Libyan tribal groups shut down much of the country’s oil facilities in southern and central Libya.
Bashagha was appointed by the Tobruk-based parliament last month to replace Dbeibeh as a prime minister. Dbeibeh, however, insists on remaining in his post.
