Libya threatens to bomb ships loading stolen crude oil
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BY: FUNMI OJUROYE TRIPOLI (AFP) – Libya has accused striking guards who have seized oil export terminals of trying to make shipments for their own profit and threatened military action against any unauthorised vessel that docks. Prime Minister Ali Zeidan issued the warning late on Thursday, three weeks into the action by the security guards that has halted virtually all loadings at key terminals on the central coast. “A group of guards at oil terminals in the central region has decided to bring vessels they have organised themselves to export oil for their own profit,” Zeidan charged. “Any vessel not under contract to the National Oil Company (NOC) that approaches the terminals will be bombed from the air and the sea,” he said, adding he had the backing of the General National Congress, the highest political body in Libya, for the warning. Petroleum Minister Abdelbari al-Aroussi said the action by the guards had cost Libya $1.6 billion dollars in lost export revenues since J...