KIEV, July 22 (RIA Novosti) – Ukraine said Monday that it had informed Libya that the seizure of a Ukrainian-manned ship in the port of Benghazi was an unfriendly action.
Armed Libyan nationals seized the ship, whose crew consisted of 19 Ukrainians, on Wednesday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The vessel, named the Etel, had been sailing under a Saint Kitts and Nevis flag.
Libya’s charge d’affaires ad interim in Ukraine, Alhadi Asbei, has been summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and informed that Kiev regarded the seizure as an unfriendly action, the ministry said.
Ukraine’s envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Hennadiy Latiy, demanded during that meeting that the ship and its crew be immediately released in line with international law.