Mohamed Aoun, the Minister of Oil and Gas in Libya’s internationally-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, has made a series of media appearances over the last ten days, in what appears to be a response to a 26 November local television interview with his rival, the NOC chief Ferhat Bengdara (MEES, 1 December).

Like Mr Bengdara, the minister mainly addressed the dispute between the Ministry and the NOC. Notwithstanding a vague 6 December joint statement announcing the creation of a “joint action mechanism to improve the management of oil production and flows,” the battle for control of Libya’s lifeline oil sector appears to be escalating. (CONTINUED - 1281 WORDS)