Libyan PM ousted after oil tanker escapes port_美文

Libyan PM ousted after oil tanker escapes port

Soon after the lawmakers voted, Libya's general prosecutor banned Zeidan from travel pending an investigation into corruption Zeidan, a liberal weakened for months by infighting with Islamists, will be temporarily replaced by Defense Minister Abdallah al-Thinni, who was sworn in by Congress on Tuesday evening.

Deputies said they had decided to mount a no-confidence vote after the tanker managed to sail away from Es Sider port, one of three major export terminals the government has lost to rebels.

"The government has been weakened for a time, and we need a new personality," said al-Sharif al-Wafi, an independent lawmaker. A new prime minister will be elected by deputies within two weeks, he said.

Zeidan told Reuters late on Monday that navy forces had halted the tanker and were escorting it to a government-controlled port in western Libya.

But rebel leader Ibrahim Jathran mocked Zeidan by going on television hours later while standing on a ship, insisting his forces still controlled the 37,000-ton tanker.

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.