“Oil markets have been spooked by fighting that has tended to play out near oil facilities such as the Ras Lanuf oil terminal, in eastern Libya. The complex is currently in the hands of rebels, although Libyan warplanes have launched air strikes near rebel positions on the outskirts of the town, according to witnesses.

The fact that many of Libya’s key oil installations are in the hands of rebels creates a headache for oil companies already hit by the U.S. trade sanctions adopted last month against Libya. The violence is deterring tankers from loading cargoes in Libyan ports, and even when they succeed, it is unclear who they should be paying for the crude—the opposition forces or the Gadhafi regime.”

What do you think?

Is the fall of a violent dictator in the Middle East worth more expensive gas prices in the U.S.?

Tags: civil unrest, gas, Libya, Oil