Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Libya has again appealed for international assistance to protect its crude oil fields.

Officials said Libya has sought Western and other assistance to defend critical facilities from Islamist militias. They said the most immediate militia threat was against the oil fields.

“There are [possible] forms of international intervention particularly since Libya is unable to protect its institutions, its airports and natural resources, especially the oil fields,” Libyan ambassador to Egypt, Mohammed Jibril, said on Aug. 25.

Attending a meeting in Cairo on the situation in Libya, Jibril acknowledged that the North African state was unable to stop the militias, one of which captured Tripoli International Airport.

Officials said the militias, armed with Russian-origin BM-21 Grad rockets, were trying to take over all of Libya’s airports.

  BM-21 Grad rockets, Libya pleads for West to help defend oil fields, Mohammed Jibril, Tripoli International Airport, unable to stop militias