Benghazi Violence Continues
Above: Map of Security incidents in Bengahzi, 5-12 September. To explore, zoom and pan to specific locations. Click on each incident for details and sources.
A large car bomb exploded outside the branch of the Libyan Foreign Ministry in Benghazi on the one-year anniversary of the assault on US consulate that led to the death of US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans (LH, AFP). No fatalities were reported, but several people were injured and damage was extensive to the ministry building and a branch of Libya's Central Bank across the street. Qurayna al-Jadidah provided pictures from the scene. The bombing capped another violent week in Benghazi. A series of attacks on security personnel on Sunday left two dead and one injured (LH). Another member of the security forces was injured the same day when a magnetic IED on his vehicle detonated (QJ). On Tuesday, retired Qadaafi-era official COL Salem Mohamed Al-Urufi was killed and his son critically injured by another magnetic IED (LH).
Above: Map of Security incidents in Libya, 5-12 September. To explore, zoom and pan to specific locations. Click on each incident for details and sources.
In other security news, two soldiers were killed and one wounded in an ambush near Sirte on Sunday (LH) and an attack on a police checkpoint in Sousa left one policeman wounded (QJ).
Oil Export Impasse Unresolved
Though oil exports were reported by the government to have rebounded slightly to 230,000 bpd (LH) these was no breakthrough in negotiations with striking Petroleum Facilities Guards that have shut down most of Libya's export terminals. The National Oil Corporation declared force majeure at the Mellitah, Zawiyah and Marsa al-Hariga terminals on Thursdya, 12 September (Platts). Even though Zawiyah remains under government control, the terminal is experiencing supply problems due to armed groups interrupting the flow of oil from southern fields. The export terminals at Ras Lanuf, As-Sidrah, Zuwaytinah and Tobruk remain closed, though it appears that there may be some movement on opening Tobruk in the coming days (TH). The Crisis Committee set up by the General National Congress to mediate the dispute has been unable to find a solution (Reuters). Prime Minister Zeidan, who has said he would not hesitate to use force against the striking workers, announced arrest warrants on 12 September against the leaders of the strikes. Once the dispute with the PFG is settled, the government also faces a potential strike for other workers at the site who are advocating for higher wages and more benefits. The protests are also animated by grievances in Eastern Libya against Tripoli and the failure of the interim government to address economic development (BBC). The outlook for increased crude exports in the near term is limited. Western analysts have grown increasingly pessimistic about Libya's ability to weather the crisis (Platts), though western governments have continued to express support to the interim government as it tries to find a solution (LH).
