Haftar’s forces seen using two ports for political leverage Facility had been scheduled for first shipment since 2014 Libya’s plans to restore oil production suffered a significant setback after forces loyal to the eastern region’s powerful military commander ousted government-backed fighters from key export terminals, just days before a tanker was due to load the first shipment in nearly two years. Khalifa Haftar’s fighters took the ports of Ras Lanuf and Es Sider from Ibrahim Jadran, leader of local Petroleum Facilities Guard units, on Sunday. His forces now control shipping terminals and oil fields in Libya’s main producing region. While restrictions on crude exports mean Haftar can’t generate revenue from the assets, they afford him political leverage over the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. “It’s an important development that strengthens […]