Gas shortages fuel frustration in Tripoli
Even before the conflict, Libya imported gasoline to supplement petrol produced at its own refineries. With the refinery at Tobruk in rebel hands and Ras Lanuf on the front line, Gaddafi is relying largely on the 120,000 litre-a-day refinery in Zawiyah to supply the government-held west.
U.N. sanctions banning dealings with Libya's National Oil Company have also made it difficult for Gaddafi's government to import fuel. Tankers carrying fuel are being turned back by NATO forces enforcing the sanctions, Libyan officials say.
Gaddafi's government has circumvented the sanctions by having petrol delivered to Tunisia, then transferred to Libyan vessels. The trade exploits a loophole in the sanctions that permits purchases by Libyan companies not on a U.N. list of banned entities.
But the volumes getting through in this way have been relatively small. "There are delays because of the maritime blockade and this negatively affects the lives of civilians," government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told Reuters.
Reporting on the queues -- and the growing anger they cause -- is difficult because foreign journalists in Tripoli are not allowed out of their hotel unless accompanied by government officials. Reporters' requests to visit fuel stations have so far not been met.
STAYING AT HOME
Shops seem well-stocked, though the petrol shortages may be preventing some fresh goods from reaching market.
Some people said they were unable to reach their offices as they have run out of petrol. Others complained that petrol stations are being run by neighbourhood gangs who give priority to neighbours or who stockpile gasoline in barrels and plastic containers to sell on at multiples of the official price. Continued...
