Authorities in western Libya have arrested five people in connection with a series of drone attacks targeting a major energy facility, according to the Tripoli-based government.
The authorities said the arrests had uncovered what they described as a wider sabotage plot targeting critical infrastructure. They alleged that the suspects were members of a cell planning attacks against other strategic facilities, including a power station south of Tripoli.
Officials said foreigners were among those arrested but did not provide further details about their identities or nationalities.
The arrests follow a series of attacks on the Zawiya oil complex. In August, a large petrol reservoir at the facility caught fire after a drone attack, according to Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation.
Further attacks were reported around the Zawiya complex, located about 45 kilometres west of Tripoli. The refinery has a refining capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day and is one of Libya’s major energy facilities.
Another drone attack on fuel tanks outside Tripoli was reportedly prevented on Thursday.
Libya possesses Africa’s largest proven oil reserves but continues to face political divisions and instability more than a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
