Tripoli–The National Oil Corporation (NOC) denied what it described as “allegations” in a report by the Africa Intelligence website, which covered “leaks attributed to the UN Security Council’s International Sanctions Committee alleging the involvement of influential figures in Libya in oil smuggling and money laundering networks.”
In a statement issued on 21 March, NOC said that the Sanctions Committee “did not issue” the report covered by Africa Intelligence, describing the information contained therein as “inaccurate and not documented by any official body,” and expressing its “surprise at the circulation of such allegations without verifying their credibility.”
It added that it is committed to transparency, working in coordination with relevant local and international authorities to combat oil smuggling, and supports any international efforts aimed at curbing such problem, which harms the national economy.
It noted that combating smuggling falls within the purview of security agencies, saying that all oil sales and exports “are conducted in accordance with approved legal frameworks,” and that all agreements “are approved by the competent authorities in accordance with the law and are subject to strict oversight by relevant Libyan and international bodies.
NOC called on the media to “ensure accuracy in reporting information and to rely on official sources to avoid publishing unreliable reports that could mislead public opinion and negatively impact the stability of the oil sector in Libya.”
It also renewed its commitment to “communication and transparency,” and its willingness to cooperate with all local and international parties to ensure transparency in the management of the oil sector, and to “continue its efforts to protect this national resource from any illegal exploitation,” according to the statement.
Following is the full text of the statement:
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has followed the report published by Africa Intelligence, which includes claims attributed to the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee. These claims allege the involvement of influential figures in Libya, including senior officials, in networks of oil smuggling and money laundering. The NOC, reaffirming its dedication to transparency, firmly refutes these allegations and clarifies the following:
First: Inaccuracy of the circulated report
The NOC emphasizes that the circulated report did not originate from the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee, and the information it contains is neither accurate nor verified by any official source. The NOC expresses its astonishment at the dissemination of such claims without proper verification of their credibility.
Second: Combating oil smuggling and the NOC’s commitment to transparency
The NOC works in coordination with relevant local and international bodies to combat oil smuggling and supports any international efforts aimed at reducing this phenomenon, which harms the national economy. The NOC highlights that anti-smuggling efforts fall under the jurisdiction of security agencies. Additionally, all sales and exports are conducted in accordance with the established legal frameworks, with all agreements approved by the relevant authorities and subject to strict oversight by both Libyan and international entities.
Third: A call for accuracy and the avoidance of spreading misleading information
The NOC calls on media outlets to exercise accuracy when reporting information and to rely on official sources to avoid publishing unverified reports that could mislead public opinion and negatively impact the stability of Libya’s oil sector.
Fourth: The NOC’s commitment to communication and transparency
The NOC reaffirms its readiness to cooperate with all local and international entities to ensure transparency in managing the oil sector and will continue its efforts to protect this national resource from any illegal exploitation.
National Oil Corporation
Issued in Tripoli, Libya
Friday, March 21, 2025