Libya's oil guards shut oil fields over pay dispute

By Mohamed Artema

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) — Libyan forces guarding oil facilities in the country announced on Sunday the closure of oil fields in a dispute over pay.

"We will unfortunately close all oil facilities," the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) said in a video statement aired by broadcaster Libya al-Ahrar.

"If our demands are not met, we will take the damage to the judicial authorities," it threatened.

The PFG demands a pay raise for its members and the disbursement of bonuses similar to employees of the country's state-run National Oil Corporation.

On Feb. 15, the PFG gave a 10-day ultimatum to the Tripoli-based government to fulfil their demands, threatening to shut the country's oil fields.

There was no comment from the government on the PFG move as of 3.15 p.m. local time (1315GMT).

Libya holds Africa's largest crude reserves, but years of conflict and violence since the 2011 ouster of ruler Muammar Gaddafi have hobbled production and exports.