Libyan rebel leader calls US Navy "pirates" after tanker seized
- 10 years ago
The US naval forces seized the tanker full of oil after it had sailed from this rebel held port in the east of Libya.
Ibrahim Jathran and his followers are seeking greater autonomy in the eastern area and have blocked several ports. This tanker was his latest attempt to export oil independently of Tripoli.
Jathran described the U.S. navy operation as "piracy".
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN REBEL LEADER, IBRAHIM JATHRAN, SAYING:
"While it was travelling in international waters, the militias of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies and criminals opened fire, as it was heading to Cyprus for repairs. The operation by the U.S. Navy was piracy."
The port blockage has crippled the OPEC country's finances as its main revenue stream remains shut.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYA ACTING OIL MINISTER, OMAR SHAKMAK, SAYING:
"Oil exports in the past two or three weeks was between 100 thousand and 120 thousand barrels per day which is considered our lowest produc
Ibrahim Jathran and his followers are seeking greater autonomy in the eastern area and have blocked several ports. This tanker was his latest attempt to export oil independently of Tripoli.
Jathran described the U.S. navy operation as "piracy".
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN REBEL LEADER, IBRAHIM JATHRAN, SAYING:
"While it was travelling in international waters, the militias of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies and criminals opened fire, as it was heading to Cyprus for repairs. The operation by the U.S. Navy was piracy."
The port blockage has crippled the OPEC country's finances as its main revenue stream remains shut.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYA ACTING OIL MINISTER, OMAR SHAKMAK, SAYING:
"Oil exports in the past two or three weeks was between 100 thousand and 120 thousand barrels per day which is considered our lowest produc