Libya’s Oil and Gas Ministry has welcomed the resumption of oil production, which it said would have positive effects on the Libyan economy and oil infrastructure, urging for keeping the oil and gas sector neutral away from political polarization.

The Oil and Gas Ministry said in a statement it had been following the closure of oil ports and fields from the onset via a special committee which contacted all relevant parties across Libya to look into the truth behind the closure, saying despite the fact that some of the demands of the locals, where the oil facilities were located, were right, they didn't take part in or consent to the blockade.

The statement added that the committee reported that no civilian party was responsible for or related to the oil closure in the fields and ports which were reopened by the same parties that ordered the shutdown in the first place, according to a statement by the Oil Crescent Bloc, in a clear reference by the Ministry to House of Representatives’ Speaker Aqila Slaeh whose name was mentioned in the Bloc’s statement.

The “Oil Crescent Bloc” announced late on Tuesday evening the reopening of oil fields and ports. In a video statement, the Bloc said: “As per the instructions of the Speaker of Parliament, Aqila Saleh, regarding opening the oil fields and ports, it decided to open the oil fields and ports immediately.”