Zeidan warns tankers not to attempt to access eastern oil export terminals

By Ahmed Elumami.

Tripoli, 9 January 2014:

Pime Minister Ali Zeidan has warned foreign oil tankers not to try to access eastern oil . . .[restrict]export terminals controlled by armed protesters, saying that any ships so doing would be targeted by the Libyan Navy.

Zeidan, speaking at yesterday’s press conference, said the Navy would use force against any “state, company, or gang” trying to send tankers to load oil from terminals controlled by the armed protesters.

On Monday the Libyan Navy intercepted the Maltese-flagged oil tanker, the Baku, when it tried to illegally enter Libyan waters near Sidra oil export terminal. Zeidan said that the Maltese Ambassador to Libya, Mannie Gallea, had assured the Libyan authorities that Malta would cooperate fully with them regarding the incident.

Naval forces also detained Lebanese cargo ship the Alexandra near Tobruk on Wednesday. The ship was released after it was established that it had entered Libyan waters to shelter from bad weather. [/restrict]