[OMANTRIBUNE] Libya's navy has prevented a tanker from "illegally entering" Al Sedra oil terminal in the east of the country, the army's general staff said on Tuesday, as protests paralysed several ports. "Patrol boats from the Libyan navy stopped an oil tanker sailing in Libyan territorial waters from entering Al Sedra port" on Monday, it said, cited by official news agency LANA.
"The ship, bearing the name Wael, tried on several occasions to enter the port but was prevented," the army said.
It was unclear who had chartered the vessel.
The Libyan navy said in a statement on Tuesday that it would monitor ships off the coast near the oil terminals of Al Sedra, Ras Lanouf and Brega.
"Ships that are not duly bound by contracts with the NOC (National Oil Company), which alone is authorised to sign petroleum export contracts, will be forbidden from loading crude oil and will be ordered to leave," it warned.
"In case of refusal to obey orders, the ship will be stormed and taken to the nearest port," the Libyan navy added.
One oil trading source said he had received emails offering Libyan oil outside of state NOC's control.
The government is locked in a stand-off with striking oil installation guards.
Authorities have threatened to use force to prevent the sale of any oil that does not go through the proper channels.
Libya's struggle with oil exports disruption intensified on Tuesday with festivities at one port and moves to head off attempts by strikers to sell oil themselves at the largest crude terminal.
The head of Libya's Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), Edris Abokhamada, said he had contacted the defence ministry for reinforcements after festivities at the Zueitina oil port, which has been shut since mid-July.
"The protesters are still inside the port but the citizens want them to leave," Abokhamada said, "The Zueitina port protesters fired on civilians when they asked them to leave - one is injured".