Unemployed Libyan youths threaten to shutdown eastern oilfields

A group of unemployed youths in Libya have threatened to shut down oilfields in the eastern town of Marada unless the state responds to demands to provide better services.

"We the youth have decided to shut down all oilfields in Marada...unless all problems are solved urgently," the group of unidentified youths said in a statement.

The group complained about the lack of healthcare and other services, such as roads linking the town to other communities.

The youths also demanded jobs at state oil firm NOC, a Libyan security official said, according to Reuters.

The remote town of Marada has experienced failing state services for years. Islamic State militants had a presence there until government forces expelled them from their Sirte stronghold in 2016.

Armed men have blown up the pipeline near Marada twice since December.

Oil production is running normally through the pipeline feeding the Es Sider terminal despite the threats, an engineer said.

Officials said they were monitoring the protests as similar actions by the unemployed had led to pipeline closures in the other parts of Libya.