Libyan Member of Parliament (MP), Mesbah Doma, denounced Turkish “bullying” efforts against the Libyan state. This occurred after Ankara signed a controversial energy deal with the outgoing Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli.
Doma claimed that the agreement is invalid and is a bullying effort against the Libyan state. He argued that the international community is silent on the matter.
He also accused the Libyan institutions of negligence to file a lawsuit against the agreement, due to the “greed and fears between the Libyan parties.”
Last month, Libya and Turkey signed a series of economic agreements that included potential energy exploration in maritime areas. The agreements will allow for oil and gas exploration in Libyan waters and come three years after the two countries signed a maritime border deal, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Tripoli.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias reiterated his criticism regarding the energy deal between Turkey and Libya’s Tripoli-based government. The deal allows Turkey to explore on gas in the eastern Mediterranean
In a video message during a conference on energy and security held in Athens, Dendias said the 2019 agreement standing in between non-neighboring Libya and Turkey – “defied not only basic international law but also fundamental principles of geography.”
“We were happy to see that many states have come out to denounce it immediately,” Dendias added.
Notably, the Egyptian Foreign Minister said that the “outgoing” Libyan GNU has no legitimacy since December 24th 2021, and has no right to sign international agreements.
During a press conference with this Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, the Egyptian Foreign Minister urged the United Nations (UN) to clarify its position on the legitimacy of the outgoing Libyan government. “We confirm the necessity of holding elections in Libya and supporting the efforts of the Libyan Parliament,” he added.
According to the Politico newspaper, the MoU could fuel the tensions and may lead to an open conflict between Ankara and Athens.
Dendias accused Turkey of exploiting “the turbulent situation in Libya to further destabilize security in the Mediterranean region and establish a regional hegemony.”
For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that his forces could “come down suddenly one night.” Interpreting this as a direct threat to Greek islands, Dendias warned its allies that they would need to crack down on Ankara or risk another Ukraine crisis.
Greek FM Criticises Turkey-Libya Energy Deal
Turkish Minister: Libyan Energy Deal Will Make Ankara Global Gas Supplier
Turkey-Libya Deal Raises Tensions with Greece