A potential oil production crisis in Libya was averted last week after Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah ordered an increase in salaries for the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG).
The PFG, tasked with securing Libya’s oil facilities, had issued a ten-day ultimatum on February 15th, demanding equal pay with the Libyan army and financial integration with the National Oil Corporation (NOC). Failure to meet these demands, they threatened, would result in the closure of oil fields.
True to their word, on February 25th, the PFG shuttered all oil export terminals and fields across the country. This move, if prolonged, would have significantly impacted Libya’s already fragile economy, heavily reliant on oil revenues.
In a swift response, Prime Minister Dbeibah issued a decree on February 26th, authorizing relevant authorities to adjust the PFG’s salaries to match those of the Libyan army. This move is seen as an attempt to appease the PFG and prevent further disruptions to oil production, a vital source of income for the nation.
While the immediate crisis has been averted, long-term solutions to address the root causes of discontent within the PFG and other sectors of Libyan society remain crucial.
