Eastern Libya's parliament approves maritime deal with Turkey

Eastern Libya's parliament approved the maritime delimitation agreement signed with Turkey in 2019 after years of opposition. Greece rejected the decision and Turkey welcomed it, while the dispute over maritime rights continues.

The eastern-based House of Representatives, aligned with Khalifa Haftar, approved the memorandum of understanding Tuesday. It was signed with the government then based in Tripoli. The vote marks a shift in the eastern camp's position toward the deal and Ankara, as reported by N12.

Greece's Foreign Ministry said the agreement was illegal and infringed on Greek islands' rights to maritime zones. Turkey's Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval and said the deal was based on international law and equitable principles. These are the parties' positions, rather than a new legal ruling.

According to N12, Israel is not a party to the agreement, which does not directly change its maritime boundaries. The concern for Israel relates to possible friction over future energy infrastructure in the eastern Mediterranean; this does not establish that an Israeli project has already been harmed or blocked.