{{Libyan officials say they have taken “complete control” of a North Korean-flagged tanker that loaded crude oil at a port occupied by rebel forces.}}
It was stopped as it tried to leave Sidra port but has not yet reached a government-controlled port, they add.
But the rebels, who planned to sell the oil independently of the Libyan state, denied losing control of the tanker.
Libya’s parliament earlier ordered a special force to be deployed to “liberate” all rebel-held oil ports.
Separatist militants have occupied three major eastern ports since August seeking a greater share of the country’s oil revenues, as well as autonomy for eastern Libya.
{{‘No damage’}}
Government officials said the vessel, named the Morning Glory, was intercepted by Libyan navy ships as it left Sidra port, which lies to the east of Tripoli.
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan told the Reuters news agency that the vessel had not yet arrived at a port in western Libya, and was still around 20 miles from the port.
“It stopped due to darkness and won’t move tonight but is under complete control and secured. Tomorrow it will move,” he said.
Officials earlier said the ship was already en route to a state-controlled port in western Libya.
Media, in Tripoli, says there is a lot of confusion over the fate of the tanker, with the rebels saying it is still docked at the port in Sidra.
The former rebels have described the latest claims as “government lies,” she adds.
wirestory
Leave a Reply