Dubai: Faraj Al Zuwaieh, chief of Al Zuwaieh Tribe south west of Benghazi, warned that he would order the stoppage of the export of Libyan oil if the EU and the US did not intervene to stop massacres against civilians in Libya.
Faraj set a 24-hour deadline for the implementation of his demand that expires by 8 GMT. He said tribal men will stop pumping the oil from the Zelten oilfield if what he described as just demand was not met. Zelten is located 170km to the south of Al Brega Port to the west of Benghazi and it is comprised of 229 wells.
The oil field is the largest oilfield in the Gulf of Sirte. Libya produces around 2m barrels per day with a proven reserves of 42 billion barrels.
Faraj said the West came to the rescue of Egyptians and Tunisians in their revolt but refrained from taking steps because they are worried of Gaddafi and their main interests in the country is oil.
"What we are trying to do to speak to the West in the language they understand: the interests. I am telling them that your interests in Libya will not be secured unless you take a major step to secure the lives of its people."
