Libya’s oil has been dragged into the country’s political disputes in wake of National Accord Government Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s announcement of his rejection of Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar’s decision to hand over control of oil ports to the eastern-based government of Abdullah al-Theni. Haftar had on Monday announced that management of the vital oil terminals will be handed to the National Oil Corp (NOC) that is controlled by Theni’s government. Sarraj demanded in a statement on Tuesday the United Nations Security Council and Sanctions Committee on Libya to “track and block any illegal sales" by the new management of the oil facilities. He warned that he will exercise all of his powers in taking all legal, local and international measures to crack down on those involved. The Presidential Council of the Tripoli-based accord government deemed Haftar’s move as illegal, adding that it was a “clear violation of the jurisdiction of the NOC, which is the only side qualified to manage oil facilities.” “Such actions will only exacerbate tensions,” it warned. He described Haftar’s decision as “irresponsible” and “a direct and dangerous threat to the interests of the Libyan people.” NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla, for his part, said that the LNA does not enjoy any legal authority over the country’s oil exports. The LNA “squandered an excellent opportunity to serve national interests and defend the rule of law in Libya by handing over the Sirte ports to only one legitimate NOC, recognized by the international community.” The army has instead decided to put itself above the law. It added that the LNA’s actions are no different than those of Ibrahim al-Jadhran, the leader of a militia that had seized control of the ports in Libya’s oil crescent. The LNA had recaptured the area this week. The LNA turned its back on the Paris agreements, national interests and the road to peace, continued Sanalla. He warned NOC would sue any company that tried to buy oil from the eastern authorities and that no purchase contract signed with them would be honored. UN special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salemeh, meanwhile, refrained from commenting on Haftar’s decision. The UN mission, however, said in a statement on Tuesday that it had discussed the developments in the oil crescent during two separate meetings with Sarraj’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala and head of the High State Council Khaled al-Mishri. Supporters of Sarraj’s government have so far not issued a statement on the recent developments, but a reaction by the concerned powers is expected within hours. The LNA said Monday it had regained full control of the oil crescent, days after it retook the Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra terminals from Jadhran’s militia in nearly two weeks of deadly clashes. LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said that the Theni government will gain revenues from oil exports, explaining that Haftar took his decision after he determined that armed groups were financing themselves from these exports.