The first oil export from the rebel-held region in eastern Libya for almost three weeks, is to begin later.
The opposition groups in Libya are said to be planning to load a tanker due to dock at a terminal near Tobruk, as NATO air strikes were reported against Gaddafi's forces and rebels gathered near the town of Brega. The Libyan government has continued to remained defiant, with an envoy visiting Europe insisting that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi will not give up power.
According to reports, the oil tanker heading to Libya, is expected to dock at the Marsa el-Hariga export terminal near the town of Tobruk. There were unconfirmed reports that the tanker on way to Libya was the Liberia-flagged Equator vessel, which is owned by the Greece-based Dynacom Management.
Lloyd's List, which is the shipping news and data provider, has said that some 1 million barrels of oil are expected to be loaded aboard the tanker, and is possibly bound for the Gulf state of Qatar. Qatar has recognized the Libyan rebels as the legitimate government of the North African country and has agreed to market oil from rebel areas.
Libya is the third largest oil producer of Africa, but exports have lessened ever since the anti-Gaddafi uprising began about two months ago. Prior to this, Libya had been exporting 1.6m barrels a day.
Michelle Wiese Bockmann, of Lloyd's List, said "The significance is not only that this is the first shipment in 18 days, but it is also a signal that Libya is open to international trade and shipping. It will send a message to other tanker owners." She added that the high quality crude was worth about $100 million at current prices.
Bockmann added that the oil is then most likely to be headed to countries like Italy, which has previously been an significant buyer of Libya's output. The Italian government too has also openly backed the idea of the rebel government.
