Originally from Benghazi, the stronghold of Khalifa Haftar, NOC Chairman Farhat Bengadra is reputed to be close to Gaddafi’s former military cadre but also to the United Arab Emirates, where he was director of Al Masraf Bank. After having ensured the revival of oil production, the former banker, at the helm of Libya’s National Oil Corporation since 14 July, wants to double the pace. His objective? To go from 1.2 million to 3 million barrels per day. To avoid any confrontation with the Libyan tribes, Bengdara has played his company’s “social responsibility” card. He says he is open to discussion and ready to implement tribal demands in terms of health, environmental and agricultural services. He has reiterated this commitment: “The National Oil Company will remain outside all personal and political rivalries.” Read more from the Africa Report.