Did a search on Benghazi, turned up over 3K documents: UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2015-04841
Doc No. C05739843
Date: 05/13/2015
STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM.
SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER.
CONFIDENTIAL
December 10, 2012
For: Hillary
From: Sid
Re: Libya, Benghazi, Oil
SOURCE: Sources with direct access to the Libyan National Government, as well as the
highest levels of European Governments, and Western Intelligence and security services.
I. During early December 2012 Libyan Prime Minister All Zidan and President
Mohamed Magariaf concluded a series of discreet meetings with selected tribal leaders from
Eastern Cyrenaica region (Barqa in Arabic), after which they agreed that the problem of the
growing Barqa federalist movement is gaining strength and will again become a major issue in
early 2013. At the same time National Libyan Army (NLA) Chief of Staff General Youssef al
Mangoush warned Zidan that the Eastern tribes have rearmed and reequipped in the past three
months and are preparing to reassert their desire for a degree of autonomy in early 2013.
Mangoush also advised that the situation in the region between Benghazi and the Egyptian
border may become increasingly complicated as Salafist fighters from Egypt continue to arrive
in Benghazi. Mangoush reported that his staff officers have been advised in secret by aids to
Egyptian Army Chief of Staff, General Mohammed al-Sissi, that, acting under instructions from
Egyptian President Mohammed rvlorsi, military and security forces are taking steps to detain or
neutralize extreme Salafist para-military groups and that a number of these fighters are fleeing to
Libya. According to the Libyan commander, these Salafist fighters are comfortable in Benghazi,
where many of them served with Libyan revolutionary forces during the rebellion against former
dictator Muammar al Qaddafi,
2. In the opinion of this individual. Zidan and Magariaf, after consulting with Minister of
Oil Abdulbari al-Arusi, decided to move thrward with a plan dating back to the administration of
former Oil Minister Abdulrahman Ben Yezza dividing the National Oil Corporation
''s (NOC)
production and exploration divisions into two separate firms. With this in mind, al- Ai
began
discussing the matter with concerned parties in late November and early December. Included in
these discussions were meetings with members of the local federalist council in Benghazi and
tribal officials from Barqa. In these sessions Al-Acusi described a new structure managing all
existing oil-related firms, while building new operations and raising funds from investors outside
of the country. This firm will be divided into two branches, one in Benghazi and one in Tripoli.
UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2015-04841
Doc No. C05739843
Date: 05/13/2015
STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM.
SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER.
STATE-SCB0045825
UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2015-04841
Doc No. C05739843
Date: 05/13/2015
STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM.
SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER.
Al-Arusi added that the cost of this project will range between fifty (50) and sixty (60) billion
dinars.
3.
(Source Comment: According to a separate sensitive source, this concept came as a
surprise to most of the local officials in Tripoli and Benghazi. This individual added that while
the Western officials continue to have some questions about the matter, the Bengliazi/Barqa
leaders were, in al-Anisi's opinion, positive, if not enthusiastic about the new initiative.
According to al-Arusi, doubts on either side relate to the mistrust that remains between the two
regions, but he is determined to move ahead in this matter and is supported by Zidan and
Magariaf. According to this source, the president and prime minister are convinced that they
must deal with this internal East-West issue before they can bring a stable security environment
to the country and disarm the remaining independent militias in each part of the country. This
individual added that in private discussions al-Arusi stated that the tentative name for this new
oil entity will be the National Corporation for Oil Refining and Petrochemicals Industry, with its
headquarters in Tripoli, and substantive offices in Benghazi. Like the NOC, the new firm will
Fall under the Ministry of Oil and Gas.)
4.
In addition, this sensitive source noted that Al-Arusi is also discussing the creation of
a company specializing in mechanical construction related to the oil and gas industry rhis firm
would be based in Renglia7d. The minister stated in private that he believes such a company can
be developed to compete with international firms in this very complex field. He also believes
that such a firm must be managed by experienced. scientifically-qualified Libyans, with
reputations for honesty. He noted that until as such a cadre is developed it may be desirable to
use experts from Egypt to fill the immediate needs of the firm. AI-Arusi believes this firm
should have offices in all of the oil fields and loading facilities. The minister also plans to
establish an office in Benghazi, similar to Tripoli's oil institute, a facility that will train students
looking to pursue oil-related studies. In addition, al-Anisi is making plans to reopen the Higher
Petroleum Institute in Tobruk, which was closed by Qaddafi at the beginning of the revolution.
He told a sensitive source that he expects the Tobruk institute to produce thousands of skilled
engineers to provide Libyan managers for the future operation of the oil sector. Once the final
details are set the Zidan regime will submit the entire package for parliamentary approval and
financing
6. (Source Comment: Advisors to Magariaf state in confidence that, in their opinion this
comprehensive plan for the oil industry will face opposition from individuals with links to
foreign oil firms, primarily foreign trained engineers who hope to see greater privatization in the
oil an oil services industries in the wake of the revolution. According to a particularly sensitive
source, Zidan is particularly concerned about this possibility, noting that these individuals see
this issue in strictly business terms, not considering the political issues, and the East — West
situation, that are all part of the overall picture in Libya At present al-Arusi believes that
foreign oil firms remain concerned about the unsettled security situation throughout Libya
however; he is convinced that this new plan will help address this situation. At present, he noted
that the large Italian oil firm ENI is stepping up its operations throughout Libya, and, with the
support of the Italian Government< will continue to increase its investment in Libya in an effort
to get ahead of the other foreign firms concerned in Libya)
UNCLASSIFIED
U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2015-04841
Doc No. C05739843
Date: 05/13/2015
STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM.
SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER.
STATE-SCB0045826
view the rest of the comments →
independenceday ago
Did a search on Benghazi, turned up over 3K documents: UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739843 Date: 05/13/2015 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. CONFIDENTIAL December 10, 2012 For: Hillary From: Sid Re: Libya, Benghazi, Oil SOURCE: Sources with direct access to the Libyan National Government, as well as the highest levels of European Governments, and Western Intelligence and security services. I. During early December 2012 Libyan Prime Minister All Zidan and President Mohamed Magariaf concluded a series of discreet meetings with selected tribal leaders from Eastern Cyrenaica region (Barqa in Arabic), after which they agreed that the problem of the growing Barqa federalist movement is gaining strength and will again become a major issue in early 2013. At the same time National Libyan Army (NLA) Chief of Staff General Youssef al Mangoush warned Zidan that the Eastern tribes have rearmed and reequipped in the past three months and are preparing to reassert their desire for a degree of autonomy in early 2013. Mangoush also advised that the situation in the region between Benghazi and the Egyptian border may become increasingly complicated as Salafist fighters from Egypt continue to arrive in Benghazi. Mangoush reported that his staff officers have been advised in secret by aids to Egyptian Army Chief of Staff, General Mohammed al-Sissi, that, acting under instructions from Egyptian President Mohammed rvlorsi, military and security forces are taking steps to detain or neutralize extreme Salafist para-military groups and that a number of these fighters are fleeing to Libya. According to the Libyan commander, these Salafist fighters are comfortable in Benghazi, where many of them served with Libyan revolutionary forces during the rebellion against former dictator Muammar al Qaddafi, 2. In the opinion of this individual. Zidan and Magariaf, after consulting with Minister of Oil Abdulbari al-Arusi, decided to move thrward with a plan dating back to the administration of former Oil Minister Abdulrahman Ben Yezza dividing the National Oil Corporation ''s (NOC) production and exploration divisions into two separate firms. With this in mind, al- Ai began discussing the matter with concerned parties in late November and early December. Included in these discussions were meetings with members of the local federalist council in Benghazi and tribal officials from Barqa. In these sessions Al-Acusi described a new structure managing all existing oil-related firms, while building new operations and raising funds from investors outside of the country. This firm will be divided into two branches, one in Benghazi and one in Tripoli. UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739843 Date: 05/13/2015 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. STATE-SCB0045825 UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739843 Date: 05/13/2015 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. Al-Arusi added that the cost of this project will range between fifty (50) and sixty (60) billion dinars. 3. (Source Comment: According to a separate sensitive source, this concept came as a surprise to most of the local officials in Tripoli and Benghazi. This individual added that while the Western officials continue to have some questions about the matter, the Bengliazi/Barqa leaders were, in al-Anisi's opinion, positive, if not enthusiastic about the new initiative. According to al-Arusi, doubts on either side relate to the mistrust that remains between the two regions, but he is determined to move ahead in this matter and is supported by Zidan and Magariaf. According to this source, the president and prime minister are convinced that they must deal with this internal East-West issue before they can bring a stable security environment to the country and disarm the remaining independent militias in each part of the country. This individual added that in private discussions al-Arusi stated that the tentative name for this new oil entity will be the National Corporation for Oil Refining and Petrochemicals Industry, with its headquarters in Tripoli, and substantive offices in Benghazi. Like the NOC, the new firm will Fall under the Ministry of Oil and Gas.) 4. In addition, this sensitive source noted that Al-Arusi is also discussing the creation of a company specializing in mechanical construction related to the oil and gas industry rhis firm would be based in Renglia7d. The minister stated in private that he believes such a company can be developed to compete with international firms in this very complex field. He also believes that such a firm must be managed by experienced. scientifically-qualified Libyans, with reputations for honesty. He noted that until as such a cadre is developed it may be desirable to use experts from Egypt to fill the immediate needs of the firm. AI-Arusi believes this firm should have offices in all of the oil fields and loading facilities. The minister also plans to establish an office in Benghazi, similar to Tripoli's oil institute, a facility that will train students looking to pursue oil-related studies. In addition, al-Anisi is making plans to reopen the Higher Petroleum Institute in Tobruk, which was closed by Qaddafi at the beginning of the revolution. He told a sensitive source that he expects the Tobruk institute to produce thousands of skilled engineers to provide Libyan managers for the future operation of the oil sector. Once the final details are set the Zidan regime will submit the entire package for parliamentary approval and financing 6. (Source Comment: Advisors to Magariaf state in confidence that, in their opinion this comprehensive plan for the oil industry will face opposition from individuals with links to foreign oil firms, primarily foreign trained engineers who hope to see greater privatization in the oil an oil services industries in the wake of the revolution. According to a particularly sensitive source, Zidan is particularly concerned about this possibility, noting that these individuals see this issue in strictly business terms, not considering the political issues, and the East — West situation, that are all part of the overall picture in Libya At present al-Arusi believes that foreign oil firms remain concerned about the unsettled security situation throughout Libya however; he is convinced that this new plan will help address this situation. At present, he noted that the large Italian oil firm ENI is stepping up its operations throughout Libya, and, with the support of the Italian Government< will continue to increase its investment in Libya in an effort to get ahead of the other foreign firms concerned in Libya) UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739843 Date: 05/13/2015 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. STATE-SCB0045826