TRIPOLI, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Attacks targeting Libya's oil and energy infrastructure, or any actions that may lead to its undermining, could constitute grounds for the imposition of punitive measures under relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the UN mission in Libya said Saturday.
In a statement, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed concern over the continued closure of the oil pipeline linking Sharara and Zawiya, warning of negative repercussions for Libya's primary source of national income, losses in oil production and public revenues, and potential shortages of fuel and electricity, as well as disruptions to other essential services on which people across the country depend.
While recognizing the right of workers to peacefully express their legitimate social and economic demands, the mission called on all concerned parties to protect the safety of oil and energy facilities and to ensure that technical and operational personnel can access and maintain them securely.
It also affirmed that oil and energy infrastructure and public resources must remain insulated from political and security disputes, which should be addressed through peaceful means, and that they must be safeguarded in a manner that serves the interests of all Libyans.
The UNSMIL urged the relevant authorities and pertinent security entities to act urgently and take the necessary measures to resolve any disputes related to this matter through peaceful means, thereby ensuring the resumption of crude oil flows and the protection of Zawiya refinery operations and associated facilities.
In a statement on Saturday, Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) said it has been forced to shut down one of the refining units at the Zawiya refinery amid the continued forced closure of a valve on the pipeline transporting Sharara crude oil.
The NOC said the measure was taken to ensure that the refinery's other unit could continue operating for as long as possible, amid the continued closure of the crude oil pipeline valve by armed groups that it said were affiliated with the Petroleum Facilities Guard in southwestern Libya and the western military region.
