Fears of an oil shortage in Tripoli are making people's lives a "nightmare", forcing many to spend the night in their cars at petrol stations in a bid to be first in line to fill up their tank. "I have been waiting in vain for three days to have fuel for my car," said Fuad Arabi, a doctor who works in one of Tripoli's hospitals.
The authorities in the oil-rich country have moved to scotch rumours circulating in Tripoli that a fuel shortage was imminent, saying oil distribution companies had "large quantities" of the commodity. But the assurances have not stopped endless queues from forming at petrol stations in the Libyan capital.
"It is a nightmare that is haunting the people of Tripoli," said Salema Gheryani, a 30-year-old teacher. "I have been queuing for four hours now."
Faisal Shami, a 50-year-old engineer, said he had to leave his car at the petrol station. "I will not go to work tomorrow, but I will return here in the morning and hopefully I will be able to fill up my car," he said as he left a Tripoli petrol station. "It is the war. I am afraid things will get worse, and prices will soar."
The National Oil Corporation said last week that production had plummeted to 400,000 barrels per day as a result of the insurrection shaking the country for more than a month and spurring the mass evacuation of foreign workers.