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Western Libya Political Figures Appear to Nix Oil Deal

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - Opposition from top political figures in Libya's U.N.-backed
   government in Tripoli to a deal announced Friday to resume the
   country's oil production appears to have put the agreement on hold, at
   least for the moment.

   The deal between eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and
   the Tripoli government's deputy prime minister, Ahmed Maitiq, prompted
   negative reaction from Maitiq's allies.

   A news conference at which Maitiq was to explain the oil production
   agreement ended abruptly when when supporters of a Tripoli militia
   prevented him from speaking. Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported that
   partisans of Islamist Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga blocked both the
   deal and the media event.

   The foreign minister of the interim government in eastern Libya, Abdul
   Hadi al Hwiej, told Arab media that he thought Turkey was responsible
   for torpedoing the oil deal. The agreement included a stipulation that
   no oil money would be used to fund mercenaries or agreements with
   Ankara.

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