Libyan Coast Guard has seized an Italian fishing boat in the Libyan territorial waters, Chief of the Central Sector of the Volcano of Rage Operation, Colonel Rida Essa declared Tuesday.

In a statement, Essa said that five Italian sailors and two Tunisians were arrested on board the boat and are now under investigation at Misrata Port.

“The sailors don’t have any permission to fish in the Libyan waters,” he added.

Essa clarified that the Libyan Navy has carried out more than 128 patrol operations off the western coast since the outbreak of clashes in Tripoli, seizing also 4 foreign fishing boats and saving more than 2200 illegal migrants.

“The Libyan Navy is equipped with combat forces to confront any threats against Tripoli,” he stated.