U.N. meets rivals in oil-rich Libya
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Disputes between rival Libya governments, coupled with increased violence attributed to Islamic State militants, have spilled over into the oil sector. British energy company BP said in a much-watched annual report published last month that long-term production issues may result from the lingering violence.
The U.N. Support Mission in Libya said it met with rival leaders to discuss ways to advance political dialogue and cease-fire proposals.
"The participants agreed on the principle of a ceasefire and underlined the need to end the bloodshed in Libya and engage in dialogue," the mission said in a weekend statement.
In its monthly report for February, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said member-state Libya was producing around 343,000 bpd as of January, a 27 percent decline from December. U.S. Ambassador to Libya Deborah K. Jones wrote in the Libya Herald the country may go broke if oil continues to get caught in the cross fire.
German energy company Wintershall last week offered a mixed report on operations in a dividing Libya. Some production has resumed, but operations are staffed entirely by Libyan personnel as "the company had to withdraw all international staff, including contractors, due to the tense security situation in the country."
Staff members assigned to the company's office in Tripoli, where operations are "very limited," are working from home.
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U.N. meets rivals in oil-rich Libya