UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed on Tuesday the mediation exercised by Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, “to ensure the unity and integrity of the National Oil Corporation (NOC).”
“The unhindered operation of the NOC remains a cornerstone to Libyan security and economy,” UNSMIL said in a statement.
It also welcomed the decision by the NOC “to integrate all employees of the parallel corporation with a view to ensuring its organizational unity.”
“It remains of the utmost importance that the NOC operates as an impartial actor and one that works for the interests of the country as a whole,” it added.
It is noteworthy that Libya’s Oil Minister, Mohamed Oun, had suspended NOC Chairman, Mustafa Sanalla, over a dispute regarding the latter’s overreaching influence.
Sanalla, on his part, confirmed in press statement that the Oil Minister cannot legally suspend him from work or refer him for investigation, adding that GNU Cabinet is the decision-maker and has the final say of the no-objection certificate.
Oil Ministry, on the other hand, later said Sanalla’s suspension was still in effect “awaiting enforcement by authorities”.
The Ministry also stated that its recommendation to replace Sanalla was still valid and would be presented to the government’s cabinet and the prime minister for approval.