Interim Libya PM signals closed oil fields to restart

Libya's interim prime minister Fathi Bashagha has said closed oil fields and ports in the country are to reopen after protesters agreed to lift blockades, but provided no timeline for the restart.

The blockades, which began on 17 April, led to 530,000 b/d of production being shut in.

Protesters were calling on rival Abdelhamid Dbeibeh's Government of National Unity (GNU) to transfer its authority to Bashagha's Government of National Stability (GNS). The latter was elected in late February by Libya's legislative body, HoR, but Dbeibeh rejected calls to surrender control, arguing he should remain in charge until national elections are held next month.

Both administrations were liaising independently with the protesters to try to bring an end to demonstrations, and it is unclear when the fields will restart. State-owned NOC has made no comment on a restart.

By Caroline Varin