Benghazi: Eastern Libya has only one week's supply of fuel left for domestic consumption, Gulf News has learned.
Eastern Libya's supply of petrol is fast running out and reserves are expected to be depleted within one week as refineries have cut down operations, a source from an international organisation told Gulf News citing top officials in the country's interim government headquartered in Benghazi.
Tarek Bu Zaqiya, an official in the interim government, admitted that the east faces severe shortages and told Gulf News that "there is a plan to overcome the problem" but said it was "not the right time to discuss the plan."
He confirmed that about one week's supply is available. Asked if cars could stop running if a solution is not found, he replied: "Well, they can't run on water, can they?"
Sa'ad Al Farjani, the interim government's de facto economy minister, did not respond to Gulf News' calls.
"The only solution is for the oil to be shipped out to Europe, refined and sent back," said the source from the international organisation.
There have been suggestions at the interim government's headquarters that petrol may be shipped to Libya from Italy.
Oil has played a key part in the conflict. The rebels fought some of the most protracted battles in the oil rich areas, with both sides gaining and losing control.
Disinformation
Ras Lanuf was the subject of an apparent disinformation campaign when Gaddafi-controlled Libyan state television claimed that forces loyal to Gaddafi had taken the town, which rebels denied.
In Brega, a town whose economy is built around the oil industry, heavy battles took place less than ten metres from oil and gas pipelines that transport the fuel to various parts of the country, according to eye-witnesses.
Access to Brega's oil fields is restricted by a main checkpoint and makeshift checkpoints set up by the rebels after they took over the town. Guards protect the area and only allow access to rebel leaders.
Forces loyal to Gaddafi have fought for control of the town three times in vain. First they fought as rebels moved westwards from Benghazi to capture the area.
A few days later the mercenaries attacked again, taking refuge in a nearby university before being expelled by the rebels, and in the latest attempt a fighter jet dropped bomb just metres from the main checkpoint leading to the oil fields.
Guards refused journalists access to the site until an older man, appearing to be in command, approached and said he would allow access in order to prove that the rebel leaders were in full control of the fields and were protecting it. He did not give his name.
"There were over 450 of Muammar's fighters trying to take control of the gated oil field area. They were fighting right here until more of our people came in and kicked them out," he said, pointing to the pipeline.
