Tripoli, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy said on Sunday it had seized a Maltese fishing boat off the coast in the eastern city of Derna with six crew members on board, Libyan news agency reported.
Libyan navy chief General Faraj Al-Mahdawi said that boat was captured on Thursday, with an Italian captain and six Indonesian crew members on board.
"The Maltese bulldozer was dragged to Benghazi port, after it was found fishing in the Libyan national waters where fishing is forbidden," Al-Mahdawi said.
"The army forces expect to talk to Maltese, Italian and Indonesian authorities for the release of the crew and the release or confiscation of the ship, in accordance with international treaties and conventions," Mahdawi added.
The Libyan army has been imposing a sea blockade off the coast of the eastern city of Derna since May 2015, warning that "all ships and naval vessels that sail in this region will be legitimate targets for the fire of naval and air forces."
