Tripoli: Libya's Government of National Unity announced that the army has regained control of the Mellitah Oil and Gas Complex, located west of Tripoli. This development comes after protesters earlier forced the shutdown of the strategic facility, disrupting gas supplies to electricity generation stations.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Tripoli-based government stated that army forces have secured the complex, situated approximately 115 kilometers west of the capital, ensuring the safety of workers at the site. The resumption of gas pumping to electricity generation stations marks a step towards restoring power and stabilizing the national electricity grid.
The government emphasized its commitment to protecting vital facilities and the resources of the Libyan people, vowing not to tolerate any attacks. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh had earlier directed the army to regain control of the Mellitah complex and ensure the reopening of gas pipelines.
In a statement, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed the resumption of gas production following the government's actions to secure the complex. Operations have recommenced at the El Feel and Wafa fields, as well as the Sabratha platform, with production levels returning to normal.
Libya's General Electricity Company also reported the restoration of work at the Mellitah complex, highlighting the return of natural gas supplies to power plants, which is crucial for the normalization of the electricity grid.
The NOC initially reported that protesters had stormed and shut down the Mellitah complex, halting operations and significantly disrupting gas production. The closure affected the El Feel oil field and partially suspended operations at the Wafa field, leading to a sharp shortage of gas and fuel for power plants.
This protest action was part of a broader campaign of civil disobedience initiated by Libyan citizens to demand improvements in living conditions, particularly in electricity services, amid an intense heatwave causing widespread power outages.
The Tripoli-based government has been actively working to resolve the electricity crisis since 2021, with notable improvements in the sector projected between 2023 and 2025. Libya remains politically divided between two rival administrations, with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli and a competing government in Benghazi.
The United Nations has been engaged in efforts to mediate a political settlement to end Libya's long-standing divisions and conflict following the 2011 ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.