Oil exports mean 'Libya is now open for business'

Libyan rebels could sell their first tanker of oil later. Tracking data from Lloyd's List Intelligence shows a tanker is expected to dock at the rebel-held port of Marsa el-Hariga in east Libya.

It is the first tanker in 18 days scheduled to lift crude from Africa's third largest oil producer.

The sale of crude by the rebels would be exempt from European Union sanctions because it bypasses Colonel Gaddafi, his family and companies associated with the regime.

Michelle Wiese Bockmann from Lloyds List told the BBC this means eastern Libya ''is now open for business''.