""Even before Libyan rebels could take full control of Tripoli,
Foreign Minister Franco Frattini of Italy said on state television Monday
that the Italian oil company Eni “will have a No. 1 role in the future”
in the North African country. Mr. Frattini even reported that Eni
technicians were already on their way to eastern Libya to restart production.
But Eni quickly denied that it had sent any personnel to the still-unsettled
region, which is Italy’s largest source of imported oil. The awkward
exchange suggested that the scramble to secure access to Libya’s oil wealth
is already on. Libyan production has been largely shut down during the long
conflict between rebel forces and troops loyal to Libya’s leader, Col.
Muammar el-Qaddafi. "" (thanks Raed)