The Libyan navy spokesman, Masoud Ibrahim, has denied the firing at Italian fishing boats, which entered Libyan territorial waters.

Ibrahim said, in statements to Italian media, that no shots were fired at the Italian boats, rather, warning shots were fired in the air over their position until they retreated, indicating that when illegal fishing boats entered Libya fishing waters, the coast guard attempted to prevent their infringement and to protect Libya’s fishing wealth, whilst respecting the safety of individuals at all times.

The Italian media had reported earlier that a fisherman was allegedly injured, following three Italian fishing boats being attacked by the Libyan Coast Guard, north of the coast of Khums.

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