On 18 September, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Ministry of Defence confirmed that investigations are ongoing regarding the sabotage cell that targeted various oil and electricity facilities in August and September, with the aim of identifying all those involved and any associated entities. The ministry categorically denied any intention to negotiate on this issue with any party, confirming its commitment to disclose the results of the investigations to the public as soon as they are completed.
They statement came in response to reports by Libyan media outlets that the GNU was negotiating with foreign states to suppress revealing the identity and nationality of the alleged sabotage cell. Some reports allege that a Spanish mercenary was involved in the sabotage cell while others allege that a senior manager from Spain’s Repsol was also involved. Reports also allege that the sabotage cell was orchestrated by Saddam Haftar through Omar Imraja, the commander of the Tariq bin Zayed (TBZ) Brigade.
On 19 September, Presidential Council (PC) head Muhammed al-Menfi argued in a statement that these recent attacks on vital civilian facilities amount to crimes against humanity or genocide, which fall within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court according to the Rome Statute. This is due to ‘their nature, gravity, and the circumstances surrounding their commission.’
He explained that State of Libya has submitted a formal request to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to obtain technical, technological, and legal support for the ongoing investigations into the cell. He said Libya also expressed its readiness to expand the scope of cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor in accordance with Article 15 of the Rome Statute, to refer relevant facts and information for consideration by the Court, particularly given the involvement of foreign parties, some of whom belong to Member States. However, al-Menfi did not specify the nationalities involved.