Battle at Libyan gas plant prompts pipeline cut-off
Sunday 03 March 2013
Printable
EmailGas flowing through a pipeline from Libya to Italy was cut off today after clashes between tribesmen and militia forces guarding the Metillah natural gas complex.
Foreign staff at the site near the north-western city of Zwara were evacuated after clashes that broke out on Saturday.
One worker was hurt in the fighting, which ended today.
A Libyan official blamed the site's guards, who he said had refused to stop at a checkpoint early on Saturday.
Three guards were arrested after the first clashes, prompting them to call in supporters from Zintan who surrounded the complex and fired at the local tribesmen, killing one.
Turf wars between different tribes over control of strategic areas in post-Gadaffi Libya are common, as the central government has failed to impose order.
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