TRIPOLI, Mar 16 – Libyan authorities acknowledged on Wednesday that rebels have captured a state-owned oil tanker and forced it to dock in the eastern port of Tobruk.
The Anouar Ifrikia (Lights of Africa) tanker was seized by "Al-Qaeda terrorists… who forced the crew to head for Al-Hrika port in Tobruk under the threat of arms," a source at the National Oil Corporation told AFP.
The vessel — owned by a maritime company run by Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi\’s son Hannibal — is carrying 2,800 tonnes of fuel and was on its way from Greece to western Libya when it was hijacked off the coast of Derna, the source said.
Libyan opposition websites reported late Tuesday that an oil tanker had been seized by the rebels fighting to unseat Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi.
Al-Jazeera television also broadcast pictures of the vessel docked at Tobruk.
"Bad use could turn this ship into a bomb," the Libyan oil source warned.
