Protesters in Libya have shut down the Greenstream pipe line which exports gas to Italy.

The action was taken by members of the minority Berber community who are demanding a bigger say in a committee to be elected to draft Libya’s new constitution.

The closure deprives Libya’s weak government of a vital source of income.

It also adds to Italy’s energy headaches after Ukraine halted gas imports from Russia, which could also impact supplies. Italy depends heavily on Russian gas.