The US naval forces seized the tanker full of oil after it had sailed from this rebel held port in the east of Libya.
Ibrahim Jathran and his followers are seeking greater autonomy in the eastern area and have blocked several ports. This tanker was his latest attempt to export oil independently of Tripoli.
Jathran described the U.S. navy operation as "piracy".
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN REBEL LEADER, IBRAHIM JATHRAN, SAYING:
"While it was travelling in international waters, the militias of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies and criminals opened fire, as it was heading to Cyprus for repairs. The operation by the U.S. Navy was piracy."
The port blockage has crippled the OPEC country's finances as its main revenue stream remains shut.
