Libya's Jalu city threatens to close oil fields to protest against Italian intervention

TRIPOLI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan city of Jalu on Friday threatened to close the oil fields run by Italian company Eni, to protest against Italy's attempt to interfere in Libya's domestic affairs.

The residents and municipal council of Jalu in southeastern Libya have agreed to give a chance to Eni to urge Italy to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Libya, a member of Jalu's municipal council told Xinhua.

"This is a serious step, if our call is not taken seriously by the Italian authorities," said the official, who spoke under condition of anonymity.

He said Italy recently set up a special force under the pretext of helping some Libyan cities, which is apparently paving the way for a large military intervention in Libya.

The Italian Defense Ministry revealed later in November the intention to send a special force to Libya on limited missions in Misurata and another unnamed city.

Eni, in partnership with Libya's National Oil Corporation, operates two major oil fields in Libya. Enditem