A U.S. Treasury Department official said Libyan rebels would not be subject to U.S. sanctions if they avoid entities linked to Gaddafi’s regime, which would allow them to sell oil under their control, according to Reuters.
“The rebels are not part of the government of Libya. They are not subject to the sanctions,” the official said.
But the rebels, who retook a number of oil fields and terminals in eastern Libya over the weekend and were advancing west toward Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte, must first establish clear lines of control and payment systems that do not involve Libya’s National Oil Corp, its central bank nor any other government entity, the official said. More.
No word on why the U.S. Treasury Department has a say in President Obama’s “humanitarian” crusade to save Libyan lives or how the war directly aids struggling Americans here at home.