Libya oilfield attack is blow to U.N. peace talks

[WorldNews]

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By Ulf Laessing CAIRO (Reuters) - An attack by Islamist militants on a Libyan oilfield where they beheaded security guards and kidnapped foreign workers underlines the difficulties facing U.N.-sponsored peace talks due to resume this week. Libyans have become accustomed to chaos, with their country split between two rival governments each allied to heavily armed groups that have been fighting for control of the oil-producing nation since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Instead, they mounted a show of force that appeared in line with warnings that the Islamists are bent on exploiting Libya's turmoil to extend their influence. "They came to burn the facilities and kidnap or kill the workers and guards," said Ali al-Hassi, a spokesman for an oilfield security force.

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