April 8 - In a gesture of goodwill, militant protesters in Libya have come to an agreement with the Libyan central government to pull out of two eastern oil ports in order to begin rebuilding the country's hugely important oil business.

Libyan rebels have signed an agreement to return the ports of Zueitina and Hariga back to central governmental control, and protesters are now banned from returning to or obstructing work at these ports.

Prior to the Arab Spring, Libya was responsible for approximately 2 percent of global oil production, a figure that fell to almost zero in light of the bloodshed that hit the region. International reports state that the conflict has cost the Libyan nation as much as USD7 billion in lost income.

There are ongoing discussions regarding the distribution of oil revenues to eastern Libyan regions, and the handover of three further gateways in the east of the country.

However, the move is tentative step towards stabilising the country's most important market, something that oil and gas exploration companies, infrastructure developers and the supporting logistics industry will surely welcome.

 

 

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