![People gather at The Martyrs' Square to celebrate the 9th anniversary of Libyans’ 17 February Revolution in Tripoli, Libya on February 17, 2020 [Hazem Turkia / Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/d2.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20200217_2_40894702_52254176.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
The head of Libya’s east-based administration threatened, Saturday, to block oil and gas exports from territory under its control, claiming the UN-recognised government in Tripoli was wasting energy revenues, Reuters reports.
According to the report, the head of Libya’s east-based administration, Oussama Hamad, said in a statement that he had “frozen” 2022 oil revenues “equivalent to more than 130 billion dinars (around $27 billion)”, as a first step.
The east-based government, which does not recognise the authority of the Government of National Unity based in Tripoli, is ready for more steps, including an oil blockade, and would seek a legal ruling, Hamad said.
“We are ready to raise the red flag, stop … the export of oil and gas and declare force majeure,” said Hamad, who was appointed in May by the east-based Parliament.
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