TRIPOLI - The Libyan government troops has gained the control of east cities of Bin Jawad and Ras Lanuf, a senior diplomat said at a regular news briefing on Thursday night.

"The army has completely controlled the situation in Bin Jawad and Ras Lanuf," the Under Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs Khalid Kliba said, adding the army is collecting some weapons and ammunition captured by anti-government insurgents, including some tanks.

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Khalid said all the oil installations in the east port of Ras Lanuf is "safe and under guard."

The government troops and anti-government forces have engaged in fierce battles along the main coastal highway in the past few days.

Meanwhile, talking about France's recognition of the rebel National Libyan Council as 'legitimate representative' of the Libyan people, the official said the Libyan government is still waiting for official statement from France and has been considering "all options in response."

France was the first country to recognize the national council and said it would exchange ambassadors between Paris and Benghazi, the eastern Libyan city being held by rebels.

Besides, the country's newly-appointed Justice Minister Mohamed Amhamad al-Qamoudy said at the same briefing that his ministry is ready for organizing a special committee to find out who is responsible for the heavy looting and other crimes amid the unrest since February 16, which have caused huge damage to foreign companies and the Libyan people.

"It is still too early to say who is responsible," Qamoudy said. Many Libyan officials have blamed the armed insurgents for the crimes.

The minister also said some 14,000 prisoners have escaped since the country plunged in turmoil, and he stressed that the judicial system is still working.