US hits Libya state oil co. units with sanctions

WASHINGTON: The United States placed sanctions on 14 firms controlled by Libya's state oil company on Tuesday, tightening a financial noose on a key source of funds for the Moamer Qadhafi regime.

"The Libyan National Oil Corporation has been a primary funding source of  the Qadhafi regime," Adam Szubin, director of the US Treasury's Office of  Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement.

"Consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1973, all governments should block the National Oil Corporation's assets and ensure that Qadhafi cannot use this network of companies to support his activities."