Libyan forces shell Turkish ship

ANKARA: Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government said yesterday that they shelled a Turkish ship off the Libyan coast after it was warned not to approach, and that a crewman had been killed in what Turkey described as a “contemptible attack”.

Libya is in a state of violent factional chaos, with two rival governments backed by various armed groups vying for control of the oil-producing North African state, including its ports, four years after rebels overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.

The dry cargo ship was targeted about 16km from the coast on Sunday after it was told not to break a ban on approaching the eastern city of Derna, said Libyan military spokesman Mohamed Hejazi.

The forces of Libya’s government have said they would hit any ships approaching Derna to stop supplies getting to Islamists based there.

The Turkish foreign ministry said the vessel was shelled as it approached the nearby Mediterranean port of Tobruk and then attacked from the air as it tried to leave the area.

“We condemn strongly this contemptible attack which targeted a civilian ship in international waters, and curse those who carried it out,” the ministry said, adding that Ankara had protested to the authorities in Libya.

The third officer on the Cook Islands-chartered Tuna-1 vessel died, and other crew members were reportedly wounded in the attacks.

Turkey said the vessel was carrying plasterboard from Spain to Tobruk and was 21km from its destination when it came under fire. – Reuters