Libya oil terminal shut down by demonstrators

Islam Times - Libyan protestors have forced a major oil terminal to halt its operations for a fourth day in eastern part of the North African country, the country’s Deputy Oil Minister Omar Shakmak says.

Oil tankers are seen waiting to refill in the water off the Zawiya Refinery, some 40 kilometers west of Tripoli, on October 27, 2011.

"The management of the Zueitina oil terminal and harbor decided to shut down operations on Saturday to avoid any risk," Shakmak said on Wednesday.
The official said that protesters rushed into the terminal on Saturday and forced the port’s workers to quit working and shut down operations."They want the government to provide them with jobs and believe they can put pressure on the government by stalling oil-related companies," he said.Shakmak condemned the use of "oil operations and terminals to pressure the government."He said that the protests continued on Wednesday.Oil installations have become a focal point of protests challenging Libya's new government, which is dependent on oil for most of its revenue. 
At least three oil fields in the Libyan desert feed Zueitina oil terminal which is located 790 km east of Tripoli.Zueitina oil port exports roughly 60,000 barrels per day as Libya's oil production stands at 1.6 mbpd.