TRIPOLI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Libya's daily oil production has dropped from more than 1.2 million barrels to less than 100,000 barrels, due to the closure of oil ports and fields by tribal leaders in eastern Libya in protest against the UN-backed government, said the state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) Monday.
"Oil and gas production in Libya have been consistently down. The current levels of production are 91,108 barrels a day, as of Sunday March 15, 2020. Forced restriction of production has resulted in financial losses exceeding 3,276,183,429 USD since January 17, 2020," the NOC said.
"We call on those responsible for the closure to immediately lift the imposed blockade and spare oil sector workers and citizens from more suffering. We call on the rest of the state's bodies to maintain the remaining financial reserves and reduce their expenses as well," it said.
Tribal leaders in eastern Libya in January closed oil ports and fields, accusing the UN-backed government of using oil revenues to support armed groups against the eastern-based army.
The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign since April 2019 in and around Tripoli, in an attempt to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.
