TRIPOLI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Libya's state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Friday called for protection of Sharara oil field, two days after the eastern-based army demanded the corporation lift the state of force majeure in the field.
"National Oil Corporation (NOC) is closely monitoring events at the Sharara oil field. NOC urges all parties to avoid an escalation of hostilities and actions that may endanger staff or infrastructure at the largest and most important field in Libya," NOC said in a statement.
The NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla urged all parties to "avoid conflict and politicization of key infrastructure."
"Any damage to the field could have serious consequences for the sector, the environment and the national economy. Obviously, normal operations cannot restart until security is restored," Sanalla said.
On Wednesday, the army called on NOC to lift the force majeure on Sharara oil field, a few hours after the army took over the field.
Last December, the corporation declared force majeure in Sharara oil field, after forced closure of the field by an armed group.
Sharara oil field, located some 900 km south of the capital Tripoli, has the capability of producing more than 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
The oil field has been shut down more than once because of armed attacks and protests, causing losses of millions of U.S. dollars.
The army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been carrying out a military campaign against terrorism and crime in the south since mid-January.
The army is allied with the eastern-based government, as Libya is politically divided between two governments in the east and the west, both competing for legitimacy.
