The Obama administration sued BP Plc and four other companies over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill Wednesday, charging violations of U.S. environmental laws, in the opening salvo in what will likely be a lengthy legal battle.

The lawsuit seeks damages from BP, Transocean Ltd, Anadarko Petroleum Corp, Mitsui & Co Ltd unit MOEX and BP’s insurer Lloyds of London for their roles in the worst offshore oil spill disaster in U.S. history. Get the full story »