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Spanish Oil in Libya?

Libya’s Political Unrest

A report from The Tripoli Post two days ago detailed the sorry situation in Libya as rebels attempt to get rid of the country’s leader,  Muammar Al Qathafi.  They are doing this following “a rule of 41 years.”  The rebels have “appealed to Spanish corporates for financial aid to begin reconstruction of the North African country even as Al Qathafi continues to hang on to power.”

Spanish oil giant Repsol YPF has been encouraged by National Transitional Council (NTC) leader Mahmud Jibril to start working again in Libya “using frozen Libya regime assets in Spain as a financial guarantee for new projects.”  Jibril said that if Spain is unable to provide aid now “the NTC’s legitimacy will fade in the eyes of the Libyan people.”  It is not just Spain that Libya has these expectations from; other nations should be providing aid too.

Spain’s Status

So where is Spain holding in all of this?  Currently the country is thinking about all options vis-à-vis investments. There is the possibility of frozen Al Qathafi assets “to be used as collateral for loans to the NTC or as new investment in rebel-controlled areas.”  At the moment, Spain can’t move until Libya decides on whether Al Qathafi should stay or go.

Other Aid: Qatar and Russia

Libya is getting aid from other places though so the pressure doesn’t just have to be on Spain.  Both Qatar and Russia have been sending aid and more was expected from Russia just two days ago.  But to date, Russia has already sent 72 tons aid to Libya.  Indeed, Moscow is extremely concerned about the conflict.  Alexander Lukashevich, the country’s Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman said that they will do everything they can to “help all Libyans in need, no matter which part of the country they live in.”

As well, Qatar has sent at least 200 tons of aid (including medical supplies) as a way of helping the Libyan opposition forces.  So clearly Libya is not alone.  Much is being done from outside to help the country in its current situation.

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