The British newspaper The Guardian reported that security services at Naples Airport in Italy briefly detained Saddam Haftar for an hour last Friday after his name appeared on a joint European Union database.
The newspaper added that the arrest warrant was issued after Spanish police seized military equipment and weapons last year that were destined for the United Arab Emirates and intended for eastern Libya. Sources close to Haftar claimed he was questioned by Italian officials regarding the Spanish allegations but was never arrested.
The newspaper noted that Haftar’s forces denied that the closure of the Sharara field was a political act, claiming instead that the site suffers from ongoing problems affecting worker conditions.
Sources confirmed to Libya Al-Ahrar Channel that Haftar ordered the closure of the Sharara oil field, operated by the Spanish company Repsol, after receiving word of the arrest warrant during his return to Libya from Rome.
The Government of National Unity condemned the closure, accusing Haftar of attempting political blackmail.
The Sharara field is Libya’s largest oil field, producing an estimated 300,000 barrels per day, which represents approximately 40% of the country’s daily production.
Source: The Guardian