According to the state owned National Oil Corporation, oil production in Libya has reached 1.3 million barrels per day as the North African nation eyes a return to its output before Moamer Kadhafi's ouster.

Crude production has hit this level in record time despite the difficulties. Before the uprising against Kadhafi's regime erupted in February last year, Libya produced 1.6 million barrels per day of crude of which 1.3 million barrels were exported. Kadhafi was killed on October 20, ending the rebellion against his 42 year rule.

In November, Libya's oil production recovered to 600,000 barrels per day as Tripoli said it hoped it would return to pre war level by the end of 2012.

In December, Mr Abdullah El Badri head of the OPEC oil cartel said that Libya's production would reach pre-war level by the middle of this year.

(Sourced from AFP)