Libya's General National Congress (GNC) has dismissed Ali Zeidan [Zidan] after a North Korean tanker laden with oil from the rebel-held port of Sidra reportedly broke through a naval blockade.
Libyan officials had said they had "complete control" of the tanker as it tried to leave the port of Sidra, 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.
Officials had to admit on Tuesday that the North vessel had escaped at dawn, making it the first sale of crude bypassing the Tripoli government.
The tanker - named Morning Glory - was reported to have taken on at least 234,000 barrels of crude.
Analysts told BBC that it is unlikely the ship is owned or controlled by North Korea and it is probably sailing under a flag of convenience to keep its true ownership secret.
Zeidan will be temporarily replaced by Defense Minister Abdallah al-Thinni, who was sworn in by parliament Tuesday evening.
(Sources: BBC, Reuters)
