Libya's NOC says Zawiya oil fires brought under control

Libya's National Oil Corporation announced on Tuesday that all fires at several fuel storage tanks in the Zawiya oil complex were brought under control earlier than expected. The complex, located west of Tripoli and home to Libya's largest operating refinery, had been targeted by drone attacks over the weekend and into Monday. The attacks caused a tank containing about 4.5 million liters of gasoline to collapse after a fire, but no damage was reported to the nearby refinery.

The refinery, which has a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day, continued to operate despite the disruption, and fuel supply to several stations in the western region was later resumed. Libya's internationally recognized prime minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, condemned the drone attacks, stating they were a serious crime and an escalation that will not go unanswered.

The attacks have the potential to derail Libya's plans to overhaul its oil sector and increase production, as the country holds Africa's largest proven oil reserves but has struggled to reach pre-2011 production levels.