TRIPOLI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Libya's daily oil production has dropped from more than 1.2 million barrels to less than 80,000 barrels, due to the closure of oil ports and fields by eastern tribal leaders in protest against the UN-backed government, state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Monday.
"The current levels of production are 79,655 barrels a day, as of Sunday," NOC said in a statement, adding that forced restriction of production has resulted in financial losses exceeding 3.8 billion U.S. dollars since Jan. 17.
"These are funds that could be spent on medical supplies and equipment to help all Libyans deal with COVID 19," it added.
The national oil company said it calls on "those responsible for the illegal closures to immediately lift the imposed blockade and spare oil sector workers and citizens from more suffering."
Tribal leaders in eastern Libya in January closed oil ports and fields, accusing the UN-backed government of using oil revenues to support armed groups against the east-based army, which has been leading a military campaign since April 2019 in and around Tripoli in an attempt to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.
