The Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Mr. Farhat Bengdara, held a series of high-level meetings with senior U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., to discuss bolstering the NOC's independence. These crucial discussions included a meeting at the White House with U.S. President's Special Envoy, Mr. Amos Hochstein, and at the U.S. State Department with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Joshua Harris. Additionally, he met with Ms. Cybele Siegel, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator of the USAID Middle East Bureau, and senior officials at the U.S. Treasury, including Mr. Anthony Marcus from the International Affairs Office.

Mr. Bengdara's meetings extended to the U.S. Department of Energy, where he engaged with Assistant Secretaries Mr. Jeffrey Pyatt, Mr. Brad Crabtree, and Mr. Josh Volz. He also held discussions with Mr. Thomas Bruns, Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

During these meetings, U.S. officials reaffirmed their full support for the NOC’s efforts to maintain its independence and neutrality, especially in light of the challenges and pressures the corporation faces. They emphasized the importance of shielding the NOC from external interference that could impede its operations, underscoring its critical role in securing Libya's state revenues and ensuring global energy stability amidst concerns of production cuts and the Central Bank of Libya crisis.

The discussions also highlighted the U.S.'s readiness to provide technical and governance assistance, including enhancing transparency and capacity building within Libya’s oil sector. The officials stressed the importance of partnerships to reduce carbon emissions through the transfer of technology and knowledge, particularly in line with initiatives introduced by the NOC at the COP28 Global Climate Summit aimed at reducing methane and carbon dioxide emissions.

The meetings concluded with a commitment to continued coordination, including future visits and engagements aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and supporting the entry of U.S. companies into Libya's oil sector.

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