A group called “South Libya Elders” shut down oil production and exports in the region on Saturday, saying in a statement that this measure will go on until the Government of National Unity leaves office in Tripoli and hand over power to Fathi Bashagha's government, which was appointed by the House of Representatives.

The statement called for fair distribution of oil revenues to all regions in Libya, in addition to supporting relevant authorities to hold elections away from the “personal greed of the current government officials in assuming power”.

“We call for the sacking of the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanallah and correcting the legal status of the corporation to keep it away from political polarization. We urge for supporting the corporation financially to increase oil production.” The statement said.

Before this statement on the same day, a group of locals in Zueitina Sultan municipality in south Libya blockaded oil exports from the Zueitina port while other locals in the area of El Feel oilfield also shut down production, which prompted the NOC to declare force majeure on El Feel oilfield and then on Sunday morning on Zueitina port.

A week ago, Khalifa Haftar’s representatives at the 5+5 Joint Military Commission suspended their participation and threatened to shut down oil production and exports, and close coastal road between west and east Libya.