The Australian government has called on the country’s refiners to avoid buying oil that could fund Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson wrote to Australian refiners seeking their cooperation in halting the flow of Libyan oil entering the country.

“This latest initiative aims to bring additional pressure to bear on Gaddafi and to choke off funding to his regime” Rudd said.

“While Libyan crude oil imports have historically represented around 2% of Australia’s oil intake, this move sends another signal to Tripoli that the international community will not stand by as Gaddafi continues to harm the Libyan people.”

(Source: upstreamonline)