Selling oil across Libya

Chapter 53 Historical Issues

The colonel is very active internationally, spending billions of dollars annually and actively participating in various international affairs.

Following the launch of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the vast majority of countries and international organizations condemned the Libyan government.

Including the African Union.

Libya accounts for approximately 5.83% of Africa's total area and about 0.63% of Africa's total population.

During his lifetime, Libya paid approximately $4050 million in annual dues to the African Union, representing 15% of the AU's total budget.

In addition, Libya pays its full dues for many small and poor African countries.

In this context, following the launch of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the African Union's demands on Libya were: the Libyan authorities should initiate "the necessary political reforms to eliminate the causes of the current crisis," and ensure "humanitarian aid to those in need" and protect foreigners, including African expatriates in Libya.

This is the attitude we should have towards our biggest clients!

Qin Rui could only say that he had dug his own grave.

As a Libyan, Qin Rui only wanted to live his own life behind closed doors and contribute to building a better Libya.

As for the international community's attitude towards Libya.

Who cares?

Unlike the Numidian expedition.

Like Colonel Haftar, he actively sought the support of the international community.

This has been strongly welcomed by almost the entire international community.

Unfortunately, Haftar has no money.

After the oil fields in the Sirte Basin ceased production, the provisional government lost its only source of income.

Haftar may be broke, but he's good at making empty promises.

Haftar promised the African Union that after unifying Libya, he would fulfill his obligations to a higher standard than during the time when he was in power.

Haftar has no need to make any promises to the Arab League. The fact that the interim government has restored traditions such as polygamy has already fully demonstrated Haftar's attitude.

Therefore, the transitional government's attack on the interim government provoked opposition from almost all international organizations.

The Arab League called on all factions in Libya to cease conflict and resolve the dispute peacefully.

The African Union called on the transitional and interim governments to form a unity government and restore peace in Libya.

London and Paris strongly condemned the Libyan armed attacks on the oil fields and demanded that all parties in Libya take effective measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of European companies in Libya.

Obama and Hillary are under investigation by the US Congress and have no time to deal with Libya.

To Qin Rui's relief, Italy publicly stated its support for the Numidian Brigade's unification of Libya.

Italy thus became the only country to openly support the Numidian Brigade.

Qin Rui finally experienced firsthand the keen insight of the Italians.

Italy's ability to take sides is something many countries should learn from.

Unlike the strong condemnations from London and Paris, Royal Shell and Total finally realized that the Benghazi interim government could not provide long-term security and attempted to regain control of the Sirte oil field through Jalil.

"Under the management of Royal Dutch Shell and Total, the Sirte oil field, which produced more than 100 million barrels per day before the outbreak of the war, had a maximum daily output of no more than 20 barrels."

What right do they have to demand operating rights for the Sirte oil field?

Jalil was utterly disillusioned with Royal Dutch Shell and Total.

The agreement between Royal Dutch Shell and Total was signed under Jalil's supervision.

At that time, a large number of oil companies, including the Seven Sisters and East Asian oil companies, gathered in Benghazi, hoping to obtain the operating rights of oil fields in the Sirte Basin.

Only after Jalil's insistence did the interim government grant the oil field operating rights to Royal Dutch Shell and Total.

However, Royal Dutch Shell and Total's reward to Jalil was to conceal production and evade taxes, which aroused strong dissatisfaction from all parties.

To a large extent, the Benghazi coup was inextricably linked to the misdeeds of Royal Shell and Total.

"The oilfield production cuts are not the reason for Shell and Total's operations."

Even during the war, the Sirte oil field maintained high production levels, far exceeding the publicly reported 20 barrels.

Ryan Chambers shrugged, reminding Jalil that the production cuts were Libya's own problem, and the responsibility did not lie with Shell and Total.

"So, where's the money?"

Jalil was unaware of the specifics of the oil field.

Looking back now, Jalil himself also bears some responsibility.

Since the outbreak of the war, Jalil has either been traveling to Europe to seek support or engaged in power struggles in Benghazi, and has never even once visited Sirte.

Chambers smiled but did not answer Jalil's question.

The answer is that it drifted away in the Mediterranean Sea.

"Your Excellency, we should not dwell on these historical issues now; the past should be left behind."

We need to look forward and begin a new relationship.

Harvey Dawson reminded Jalil that this issue should not be pursued.

"Your words seem to be reminding me that these things happened a century ago."

Jalil sneered, saying that something that happened a month ago couldn't be considered a historical issue.

"Okay, this isn't a legacy of history, let's just call it the adjustment period;

Like hedgehogs hibernating, they need to find the right distance to successfully survive the winter.

Jalil can accept Chambers' analogy.

"Hedgehogs that get too close will prick each other."

We will eventually pay the price for our mistakes;

Even if Shell and Total return to Libya, they will face competition from ExxonMobil and Eni.

Jalil's so-called art of politics is constant compromise.

After capturing Misrata, the Numidian Brigade continued its advance into the Sirte Basin.

The armed forces that occupied the Sirte Basin offered no resistance and dispersed.

Yuri was surprised; he hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

The Numidian Brigade's offensive was for the oil fields, not to eliminate the militants.

Therefore, the Numidian Brigade's equipment advantage was difficult to leverage in the attack on the Sirte Basin.

Yuri expected a fierce battle.

Unexpectedly, the armed militants who occupied the oil field gave up so easily.

"Yuri, you should thank me!"

Payne was smug.

The Libyan militants who attacked oil fields and drove out Total and Shell had close ties with ExxonMobil.

"Thanks for sending the BrahMos, but they all broke down before even reaching Misrata!"

Yuri was not grateful.

Even without the help of these ragtag troops, the Numidian Brigade would have regained control of the Sirte oil field.

Although the BrahMos that Payne sent looked brand new, its engine was severely worn and unusable.

"How can you blame me for this?"

Tank engines only have a lifespan of a few hundred hours; otherwise, why do you think the US military would abandon these tanks?

Payne was perfectly justified.

"Okay, let's put the tank issue aside for now."

Why do those Humvee command vehicles have GPS transmitters?

Yuri sneered, "Imperialism is indeed still up to its old tricks."

Among the fifth batch of military Humvees, several armored vehicles have been specially reinforced, making them command vehicles with a better riding experience.

During the acceptance process, Numidia Airlines' technicians discovered GPS positioning devices in concealed locations such as inside fuel tanks.

"I've been in Tripoli the whole time, how would I know!"

Payne completely absolved himself of any responsibility.