TRIPOLI, Jan 6 — Libyan warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on a Greek-operated oil tanker yesterday, days after militants set fire to oil storage tanks in the the port of Es Sider.
Araevo, a Greek-operated oil tanker, was transporting 12,600 tonnes of heavy oil to the Libyan city of Derna from Brega. On board were 26 crew members, the majority from the Philippines.
The oil tanker was attacked yesterday by warplanes loyal to the internationally-recognised Libyan government while anchored at the port of Derna. Two crew members, one Greek and Romanian national, were killed and two others injured.
The interim government, Islamic group Libya Dawn and tribes have been battling for control over different parts of the African nation. The government said it was not informed of the ship’s entry, but Libya’s National Oil Corp in Tripoli, which is now controlled by rebels, said it had chartered the ship and informed the relevant departments.
The unrest has seen the amount of oil produced by Libya drop significantly, from 1.6 million barrels per day in 2011 to just 380,000 barrels.
The internationally-recognised government is now appealing to the Arab League for help as the nation continued to be gripped by unrest and violence. — Reuters
