The Libyan House of Representatives is reportedly considering ratifying a contentious maritime agreement with Turkey, according to Greece’s Ekathimerini newspaper. The move could significantly reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The maritime memorandum of understanding (MoU) was originally signed in 2019 between Turkey and the outgoing Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The agreement demarcates maritime boundaries, granting Turkey access to a vast economic zone believed to contain untapped energy resources.
At the time, the deal was met with strong opposition from several regional players. Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt all condemned the agreement as illegal, arguing it violated international maritime law and infringed on their territorial waters. Libya’s eastern-based authorities, including the Tobruk parliament, also rejected the GNA’s authority to sign such international deals.
Parliament Speaker Ageela Saleh had previously labelled the Turkey-GNA agreement “null and void”, calling it a breach of Libyan sovereignty. However, recent developments suggest a potential shift in position. Reports indicate that the House of Representatives has formed a committee tasked with reviewing—and possibly ratifying—the agreement.
If confirmed, this would represent a major political reversal by the eastern Libyan bloc. It would also bring both major Libyan factions—those in Tripoli and Tobruk—into alignment with Turkey’s maritime claims. Such a step would challenge Greece’s bilateral maritime agreement with Egypt and complicate ongoing efforts to explore and exploit natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey has deepened its engagement with eastern Libyan authorities in recent years. Ankara hosted Haftar’s son, Saddam, in previous visits and extended humanitarian aid during times of crisis. These moves are widely viewed as part of a broader strategy to expand Turkish influence in the region.
The potential ratification of the 2019 maritime MoU by the Libyan parliament would mark a turning point in regional diplomacy. It could further escalate tensions over Mediterranean energy resources, while cementing Turkey’s strategic foothold across Libya’s political divide.
Such a development would likely provoke sharp reactions from Athens and Cairo, who have long opposed Ankara’s assertive maritime policies.
