Libyan oil ports closed following attacks

Tripoli, Dec 15: Sidra and Ra's Lanuf, two large oil ports located in eastern Libya, were closed due to safety concerns following attacks, Oil and Gas Minister Mashala al Zaui said Sunday.

The oil fields whose output is handled by the ports have also been closed, the minister said.

Pro-government forces engaged Islamic militias around the ports Saturday.

Some foreign oil workers have been evacuated from Sidra, which handles production of 200,000 barrels per day, to the city of Ajdabiya, al Zaui said.

Measures are being taken to protect the two oil ports, the Libyan National Oil Corporation, or NOC, said in a statement.

IANS