Libya’s Government of National Unity said on Tuesday that security forces had moved to secure the Mellitah Industrial Complex and restore gas supplies to power stations following a shutdown that raised fears of a nationwide electricity blackout.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah issued urgent instructions to the Defence Ministry and the General Staff to take full control of the strategic facility, protect its operations and immediately reopen gas pipelines supplying electricity-generation plants.
The order followed the closure of several gas lines inside the complex and a warning from the General Electricity Company of Libya that the disruption could trigger a total collapse of the national power grid.
In a statement, the government said gas pumping must resume without delay to keep power plants operational and prevent widespread electricity cuts.
It stressed that oil, gas and electricity installations were sovereign facilities under the exclusive authority of the state, warning that any attempt to disrupt their operation, block workers from entering or interfere with production would be met with decisive legal action.
The government said it would not allow public grievances or political conditions to be exploited for what it described as plans aimed at destabilising the country or creating crises that threaten citizens’ safety and daily lives.
It also pledged to impose full state authority over all vital installations and take firm action against activities that endanger national security or disrupt strategic infrastructure.
Earlier on Tuesday, the General Electricity Company warned that the closure of fuel-supply lines at the Mellitah complex could force several generating units out of service and lead to a nationwide blackout.
Protesters reportedly closed the complex on Monday and prevented employees from entering. The action came amid demonstrations in several Libyan cities over persistent electricity shortages and growing calls for Dbeibah’s government to step down.