Speaker of the Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh Issa has defended the move by the Armed Forces to seize control of the country's oil crescent, saying the seizure followed a mandate by official bodies that represent all factions of the people. 

The Armed Forces have liberated oil terminals that are the main source of income for Libyans, Issa said in a statement, a copy of which MENA received Tuesday.

It was an official and public demand for the army to control the oil crescent, Issa said, stressing that the army made it crystal clear it will not participate in management, which is the main task of the National Oil Corporation.

Local and foreign contracts will not be breached, the parliament speaker assured, saying Libya will always respect the rights of others and its commitments. 

The army will withdraw from the oil terminals once the National Oil Corporation has taken over duties there, Issa said.

Source: MENA