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US sailors hand over control of captured oil tanker to Libyan forces US sailors hand over control of captured oil tanker to Libyan forces
(35 minutes later)
A spokesman for the Libyan navy says US sailors have handed over control of a captured North Korean-flagged oil tanker to Libyan forces, while in international waters. American sailors handed over control of a captured North Korean-flagged oil tanker to Libyan forces while in international waters Saturday, a spokesman for the Libyan navy said.
Ayoub Abou el-Qassem said on Saturday that the tanker, Morning Glory, was heading to the port at Zawiya refinery, 25 miles west of the capital, Tripoli. Ayoub Qassem said that the tanker, Morning Glory, is now heading to the port at Zawiya refinery, 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the capital Tripoli. Qassem told the official news agency LANA that three Libyan navy ships escorted the vessel into national waters.
Last week, US navy Seals seized the ship off Cyprus, stopping an attempt by a Libyan militia to sell its shipload of crude in defiance of Tripoli. A Pentagon spokesman said Friday that 34 sailors from the frigate USS Elrod are aboard the tanker. Last week, US navy seals seized the ship off the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, stopping an attempt by a Libyan militia to sell its shipload of crude in defiance of Tripoli. A Pentagon spokesman said Friday that 34 sailors from the frigate USS Elrod are aboard the tanker.
The tanker saga illustrated the extreme weakness of Libya's government, vying with militias for dominance since the 2011 ouster and death of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi.The tanker saga illustrated the extreme weakness of Libya's government, vying with militias for dominance since the 2011 ouster and death of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
The militia commander controlling the terminal where the tanker took on its load, Ibrahim Jedran, is part of a movement demanding autonomy for the east of the country. He has warned the US against handing over the tanker and three of his fighters, reportedly including one of his brothers, who are on board.
Last summer, his militia took over Libya's oil facilities in the east. As a result, the country's exports of its biggest revenue earner have slowed to a trickle. This month, Jedran's militia loaded the Morning Glory with $30m worth of oil and it evaded a Libyan blockade to escape to the Mediterranean, saying they would sell the oil on behalf of a council that claims to be a government in the east, challenging the central authority.
Qassem said three Libyans and 21 crew members who were on board are detained.
A Libyan security official confirmed that one of Jedran's brothers was on board. He said a boat of the Libyan navy forces had taken the Libyans and the crew aboard to Tripoli.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.
The return of the oil tanker seized last Sunday by US commandos came hours after clashes broke out between Libyan rebels occupying oil ports and Libyan troops.The return of the oil tanker seized last Sunday by US commandos came hours after clashes broke out between Libyan rebels occupying oil ports and Libyan troops.
Rebels clashed with troops on Saturday when they attacked an army base, wounding 16 people before tribal leaders brokered an end to the fighting, local residents and a state news agency said.Rebels clashed with troops on Saturday when they attacked an army base, wounding 16 people before tribal leaders brokered an end to the fighting, local residents and a state news agency said.
Anti-aircraft gunfire and explosions were heard late at night and again after dawn on Saturday in Ajdabiya, the hometown of rebel leader Ibrahim Jathran, whose fighters seized three ports in summer to demand a greater share in Libya's oil wealth.Anti-aircraft gunfire and explosions were heard late at night and again after dawn on Saturday in Ajdabiya, the hometown of rebel leader Ibrahim Jathran, whose fighters seized three ports in summer to demand a greater share in Libya's oil wealth.
LANA state news agency said tribal community leaders helped stop the fighting later on Saturday between the rebels and Libyan soldiers, who were preparing for a possible military offensive to break the blockade that has slashed vital oil exports.LANA state news agency said tribal community leaders helped stop the fighting later on Saturday between the rebels and Libyan soldiers, who were preparing for a possible military offensive to break the blockade that has slashed vital oil exports.
But the agency reported 16 people were wounded in the violence.But the agency reported 16 people were wounded in the violence.