Libyan Government Prepares To Use Force To Stop North Korean Oil Tanker At Rebel-Held Port

A North Korean-flagged ship docks at the Es Sider rebel-held port in eastern Libya on Mar. 8, 2014. Reuters

Libya To Seize North Korean Oil Tanker At Rebel-Held Port -- IBTimes

The Libyan government has authorized a force to seize a North Korean-flagged oil tanker that has docked since Friday evening in an eastern rebel-held port, despite a warning by Libya’s leader that the ship may be bombed, CNN reported Monday.

Armed Libyan protesters had traded threats with the Libyan government on Sunday over the illegal sale of oil from a rebel-held port. The rebels said any attack on the tanker, named Morning Glory, would be “a declaration of war.”

The Libyan force consists of naval officers and former rebels now paid by the government, two Libyan ministers told reporters Sunday. The force has permission “to stop, seize or even strike [the oil tanker] with force if it does not comply with the orders issued for it,” Culture Minister Habibi al-Amin said.

"The aim is to receive this tanker, according to the law, without causing any casualties or damage," Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani said. "We hope this happens."

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More News On The Libyan Government Preparing To Use Force To Stop North Korean Oil Tanker At Rebel-Held Port

Libyan parliament orders military operation against rebel ports -- Reuters
Libyan 'force' goes after threatened oil tanker in rebel-held port -- CNN
Libyan navy deploys to stop rebel oil shipment -- AFP
Libya Vows to Block Tanker Attempt to Lift Oil in Rebel Port -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Libya Sends Navy to Block North Korea-flagged Oil Tanker -- Voice of America
Libya threatens N Korea ship over seized oil -- Al Jazeera
Libya threatens to bomb North Korea-flagged tanker -- BBC
Libyan Militia Selling Oil, Defying the Government -- New York Times
Libya threatens to bomb N.Korean ship over 'illegal' oil -- Global Post/AFP
Libyan rebels load tanker, defy Tripoli -- Deutsche Welle
Threat Issued in Libyan Oil Export Dispute -- Voice of America
Libyan leader threatens to bomb North Korean oil tanker -- CNN
Libyan militia attempting to export oil abroad -- Washington Post/AP
Rebels at East Libya oil ports say will fight any government attack -- Reuters
Libya port protesters say they have started oil exports -- Euronews

My Comment: I have been asking myself the same question .... North Korean Flagged Tanker Puzzles Observers -- WSJ