Libya: GNA sends forces to take back Sharara oil field following LNA conquest

UN-backed government of National Accord (GNA) has condemned the Libyan National Army (LNA)’s seizure of Sharara oil field, the country’s largest, and said it has sent forces to dislodge the east-based army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Guardian reports.

The forces, under the Tripoli-based GNA led by Faiez Serraj, had traveled to the South of the country to recover the Sharara oil installation which produces the third of the country’s oil output.

The LNA Wednesday announced it took control of the site amid its Southward campaign to remove terrorist groups from the region.

The announcement, The Guardian notes, was later contradicted by local reports.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) based in Tripoli and known as Libya’s sole legitimate oil producer, halted operations at the Sharara oil field nearly two months ago after a group of armed men allegedly from the region stormed the site, a bargain ship to force the GNA improve life condition in the region.

Haftar, the strong man the GNA’s rival administration in the East had last year seized Libya’s oil crescent after driving out GNA-aligned forces.