Mustafa Sanalla, the chairman of state-owned National Oil Coporation (NOC) says fuel storage facilities in Tripoli have been heavily damaged by militias fighting around the capital since late August, and warned that NOC may have to cut fuel supplies.

Speaking in a video released by NOC on 22 September, Sanalla called on the warring militias to end their hostilities around Tripoli’s Mtiga airport, saying only three out of 15 storage tanks had been left undamaged by the fighting.

With less than 20 per cent of its operational capacity left available as a result of the damage, fuel, diesel and gas supplies may have to be suspended, Sanalla warned.

The tanks are operated by Brega Petroleum Marketing Company, a NOC subsidiary, which is responsible for Libya's domestic fuel distribution.

“The situation is very dangerous. Brega’s storage tanks have been subjected to violent attacks dating back to 2014, resulting in damage to 9 out of 15 tanks. In the last few days, we lost three storage tanks, meaning only three remain.

“These three storage tanks fuel Tripoli municipality. The situation is very dangerous. We have nothing left. The supply situation is extremely critical. We no longer have any logistical flexibility to supply Tripoli and its suburbs with fuel,” Sanalla said.

Brega’s general sales department building was also shelled resulting in its destruction.

Mtiga airport has been closed since 11 September due to fighting between rival militias. The UN has attempted to broker a number of ceasefires but clashes continue unabated. The capital has already reduced the number of hours it can provide residents with power, and the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) said Thursday one of its generators was hit during the clashes forcing its staff to shut down the Tripoli power station.