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Libya says armed group forces production halt at major oil field

Libya's state-run oil company says the Sharara oil field had just resumed operations before it was stormed by gunmen.
A general view of the El Sharara oilfield, Libya December 3, 2014.  REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny/File Photo - GF10000383302

Days after the reopening of a key oil field, Libya's National Oil Corporation blamed a group tied to renegade commander Khalifa Hifter for shutting down its production today.

“The armed group, which came from Sebha, stormed the Sharara oil field and pulled their guns on civilian unarmed workers, coercing them to stop production at the field at dawn,” the state-run National Oil Corporation said in a statement. 

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