As Sanalla refuses to give up his post: NOC Tripoli headquarters surrounded by pro Aldabaiba forces

Misrata’s Joint Security Chamber forces have surrounded the Tripoli headquarters of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) today. The Joint Security Chamber is loyal to incumbent caretaker prime minister Abd Alahimd Aldabaiba.

The move comes on the heels of the refusal by outgoing NOC head Mustafa Sanalla, after his scathing speech yesterday, to hand over his post. In it, he made several controversial accusations against Aldabaiba, his oil minister Mohamed Aoun, the new NOC chairman Farhat Bengdara and the UAE.

It is not clear if the Joint Security Chamber are there to forcibly eject Sanalla. If so, this could lead to clashes with other western-based militias.

In a statement on the presence of the Joint Security Chamber at its perimeter, the NOC said it holds the Aldabaiba government and Bengdara responsible for any illegal actions against the NOC or its personnel.