UNSMIL Warns Libya Oil Infrastructure Disruption Could Trigger Security Council Sanctions

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) posted a statement on X on Saturday, September 26, 2026, warning that actions targeting or undermining Libya's oil and energy infrastructure 'may constitute grounds for the imposition of measures' under relevant Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2213 (2015), which allows travel bans and asset freezes against those who threaten Libya's stability. UNSMIL said the continued disruption of the Sharara–Zawiya pipeline — closed by an armed group since September 21 — 'is adversely affecting Libya's principal source of national income, causing significant losses in oil production and public revenues, and risks disrupting fuel supplies, electricity generation and other essential services.' While acknowledging Petroleum Facilities Guard workers' right to peaceful protest over salary and administrative grievances, the mission said oil and energy infrastructure and public resources 'must remain protected from political and security disputes, which should be addressed through peaceful means,' and urged authorities and security actors to urgently restore the flow and protect technical staff's access to the sites.