Western leaders warn of escalating violence over Libyan oil facilities

Governments of some Western countries on Wednesday expressed worries over possible clashes in the Libyan coastal town of Zueitina that may damage infrastructure of oil terminals in the area.

The leaders of France, the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain "call on all parties to refrain from any hostile act and avoid any action that may damage or disrupt Libya's energy infrastructure," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

They asked the UN-backed "legitimate national authorities" to take over control of the country's all oil facilities without preconditions or delay to "restart oil production to rebuild the Libyan economy."

"It is in the interest of all Libyans to give their full support to the efforts of the Government of National Accord to provide basic services to the Libyan people, to find a peaceful solution to the disturbance of Libya's energy exports," the statement read.

Libya has been plunged into chaotic violence since 2011. Rival armed groups have jostled for the control of the nation's oil facilities, which represent a key economic sector and is the main currency earner.

Source : XINHUA