Armed groups force closure of Libyan cement plants

Several state-owned cement plants in Libya have reportedly been forced to close, along with the headquarters of the National Cement Company, following intervention by armed groups amid conflicting claims over cement distribution.

Reports indicate that the Lebda, Al-Marqab and Arabiya Zliten cement plants, along with the headquarters of the state cement company, were closed and employees prevented from entering.

Some accounts attribute the intervention to allegations of irregularities involving the allocation of around 60 truckloads of cement per day to private companies linked to management.