Jan 22 (Reuters) - France's TotalEnergies has

further delayed its $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG)

project in Mozambique, citing ongoing security concerns, the

Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The LNG project in the restive Cabo Delgado province has

been on hold since 2021 when an Islamist insurgency threatened

the site. Dozens of civilians were killed in the attacks in a

nearby town, forcing Total to declare a force majeure and

withdraw all staff from the construction site.

The company told the FT that plans to restart the project by

the end of 2024 have slipped after violence flared following

October's disputed presidential election, putting at risk a goal

to begin production in 2029.

Daniel Chapo of the long-ruling Frelimo party took office

last week, following months of opposition protests against his

disputed election victory in which civil society groups say more

than 300 people have been killed.

TotalEnergies didn't immediately respond to a Reuters'

request for comment.

"The priority is to restore peace and security in the Cabo

Delgado and the lifting of the force majeure," TotalEnergies

told FT.

It needed "public services" and "normal life" to resume for

the project to restart, the company added.