Libya’s internationally recognised government says bombing, which killed two, undertaken because ship was acting suspiciously

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A military spokesman for Libya’s internationally recognised government says its fighter jets bombed a Greek-owned tanker ship because it had no prior clearance to enter an eastern port and acted “suspiciously”.

Spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said the jets struck the tanker twice on Monday in Darna before his government was informed that it was commissioned by the local power station.

Greek officials said the bombing killed two crew members and wounded two onboard the Liberian-flagged Araevo.

Al-Mesmari said: “We regret the loss of lives.”

The Araevo’s crew of 26 comprised 21 Filipinos, three Greeks and two Romanians.

Darna is a base for Islamic extremists who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Libya, torn between rival governments, has been beset by militia violence since its 2011 civil war and the death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.