Eni lauds importance of Libya's gas

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TRIPOLI, Libya, March 12 (UPI) -- Libya maintains strong support from Italian energy company Eni as a source of stable and secure natural gas supplies, the company said.

Eni Chief Executive Officer Paolo Scaroni met in Tripoli with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan, Petroleum Minister Abdelbari al-Arusi and National Oil Co. Chairman Nuri Balrwin to recognize the return to operations of the Mellitah complex.

"During the meeting, which was held in a cordial atmosphere, the parties shared the restart of Libyan gas exports to Italy from the Mellitah plant, which occurred in the last few days, underlining the importance of Libya as a source of security of gas supplies for Italy," Eni said.

The Libyan Defense Ministry said the military took control of security at the Mellitah complex near the country's west coast last week following clashes with militants.

The facility is run through a joint venture between Eni and Libya's National Oil Corp.

Italy received nearly 10 percent of its natural gas from Libya's Greenstream pipeline before civil war began in February 2011.