Members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) in Libya announced on Sunday the closure of all oil fields and ports across the country.
“We will unfortunately close all oil facilities,” the PFG said in a video statement aired by broadcaster Libya al-Ahrar.
“If our demands are not met, we will take the damage to the judicial authorities,” it threatened.
They also demanded the adoption of a salary scale for the guard similar to that of the Oil Corporation employees, including a 67% increase along with the payment of allowances and differences as per the law.
They called on Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh to administratively and financially recognize the guard under the National Oil Corporation and, implicitly, under the Ministry of Defense.
The PFG demands a pay raise for its members and the disbursement of bonuses similar to employees of the country’s state-run National Oil Corporation.
On 15 February, the PFG gave a 10-day ultimatum to the Tripoli-based government to fulfil their demands, threatening to shut the country’s oil fields.
There was no comment from the government on the PFG move as of 3.15 p.m. local time (1315GMT).
Libya holds Africa’s largest crude reserves, but years of conflict and violence since the 2011 ouster of ruler Muammar Gaddafi have hobbled production and exports.
It is noted that Libya’s daily oil production is approximately 1.2 million barrels.
