The Oil Facilities Guard said on Thursday that the protesters' closure of the Sharara oil field in southwestern Libya and the suspension of production was an "irresponsible act that will directly affect the national economy."

It also described the action as "an act against the general interest of the state and Libyans".

On Tuesday, protesters announced the closure of the Sharara oil field in response to poor government services, and fuel and gas cuts in the southern region, holding the National Oil Corporation and Government of National Unity fully responsible, if their demands are not met.

This came in a statement read in front of the field, with the spokesman for the group attributing the closure to the lack of response from authorities and the expiration of the December 31 deadline protestors gave to have their demands met.

The protesters are demanding the provision of fuel and its derivatives in Fezzan, the activation of the decision to establish a refinery in the south, the maintenance of dilapidated roads, the hiring of graduates from the region and the restructuring of the Fezzan Reconstruction Fund.

They are also demanding the cancellation of the agreement signed between the Ministry of Health and the National Oil Corporation regarding Ubari General Hospital and the obligation of the institution to establish a private hospital in Fezzan.