Shell sells filling stations to Libya

A Libyan state company has bought Royal Dutch/Shell’s depot and filling stations in Eritrea, taking a majority stake in petrol distribution in the East African country.

Tamoil’s statement did not reveal how much it paid the Anglo-Dutch conglomerate for the facilities, but it said the company now controlled 54% of Eritrea’s petrol market.

The statement said the purchase was part of Tamoil’s plans to expand its business on the African continent.

Tamoil has filling stations in many countries, including Italy and Germany.

On March 25, Royal Dutch/Shell signed a preliminary agreement to develop natural gas resources in Libya. The deal was signed the same day that British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited the country.