Description

Libyan rebels, badly in need of funds and arms to sustain their pressure against embattled leader Moammar Qadhafi, were dealt a major setback as airstrikes by Qadhafi forces on oil fields in rebel-held east halted oil production for at least four weeks.

Wahid Bughaigis, who serves as oil minister for the National Transitional Council (NTC), told reporters that oil production from the key fields of Messla and Sarir will not resume until at least four weeks, as oil pumping equipments were damaged in frequent attacks by Qadhafi forces since February.