Libya oil company blames UAE for oil blockade

Libya's National Oil Company (NOC) has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of instructing renegade forces to reimpose a blockade of oil exports.

The country recently resumed oil exports after a halt of nearly six months, caused by conflict and political upheaval.

But the oil company said the blockade was reinstated over the weekend after Libya National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar announced the blocking of export of oil from the country.

“NOC has been informed that the instructions to shut down production were given to (the LNA) by the United Arab Emirates,” the Reuters news agency quoted a statement by the company.

Neither the LNA nor the UAE have immediately reacted to the company's accusation.

Oil exports are the backbone of Libya's economy - with the country being among the top producers.

Libya has been in conflict since the ousting of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 after an uprising.

Both sides in Libya's civil war have international support. Turkey, Italy and Qatar all side with the UN-backed government in Tripoli, while Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates back Gen Haftar.