Libya’s Eastern Parliament Approves Turkey Maritime Deal

Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives unanimously approved a maritime agreement with Turkey on 20 October 2026, reversing its previous opposition to the deal.

Agreement and parliamentary decision

Turkey and Libya’s then internationally recognised Government of National Accord in Tripoli signed the maritime boundary agreement in November 2019. The eastern parliament’s vote revoked its 2020 resolutions rejecting the deal and suspending political relations with Ankara. The boundary runs between Crete and Cyprus, and now has the backing of both rival Libyan governments.

The vote followed a leadership change on 6 October. Al-Salhin Abdelnabi al-Obeidi, who chaired the Libyan-Turkish friendship committee, became speaker, replacing Aguila Saleh, who had previously blocked ratification.

Regional responses

On 29 October, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the agreement “blatantly illegal, null and void”, arguing that it disregards Greek islands and the geography of the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and the European Union have condemned it, citing international law and regional security. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the criticism and said Turkey was protecting its maritime rights and interests.

Important Facts for Exams

• Maritime agreement: The 2019 Turkey–GNA treaty sought to establish a Mediterranean exclusive economic zone, enabling claims to seabed resources.
• Treaty procedure: One objection invoked Article 8 of the Skhirat Agreement, which bars Libya’s prime minister from making international agreements without unanimous cabinet consent.
• GNA authority: The UN Security Council unanimously endorsed the Libyan Political Agreement and recognized the GNA as Libya’s sole legitimate executive authority.