Residents of Zintan, a western Libyan town, have shut down key oil distribution valves in a protest demanding the immediate release of Brigadier-General Mustafa Al-Whayshi, the abducted chief of the Central Security Department, according to Anadolu News Agency. The abduction, reportedly carried out by local residents earlier this week, has sparked widespread unrest.
The closure of the valves has severely disrupted Libya’s oil distribution network, exacerbating challenges in an already strained energy sector. As oil is the backbone of the country’s economy, the impact of these interruptions threatens to further destabilize the national energy supply chain.
The kidnapping of Brigadier-General Al-Whayshi has drawn significant concern among officials and residents in Zintan, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region. In response, demonstrators have turned to the oil industry—a critical economic lifeline—as a means of leverage.
“We will not reopen the valves until General Al-Whayshi is safely returned to his family,” one protester stated, speaking anonymously.
Meanwhile, Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas has urged Zintan officials to expedite efforts to resolve the situation, warning that extended closures could result in severe economic repercussions.
