Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan speaks during news conference in Tripoli February 3, 2014. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan stepped up the pressure on protesters blocking eastern ports on Monday, telling them he had weeks ago ordered troops to prepare to move there to end their blockade.
Zeidan has repeatedly warned he may use force to free up three key ports where protesters demanding more autonomy from Tripoli have cut off around 600,000 barrels per day of oil exports since summer.
