Libya has formally escalated its maritime dispute with Greece by submitting an official letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, protesting what it described as unlawful Greek actions in contested waters south of Crete.
The letter marks the first direct move by Libya to assert its maritime claims at the international level and signals a sharp shift from previously cautious diplomatic language.
Dated 20 June 2025, the Libyan note denounces recent Greek decisions to issue energy exploration licenses in waters Libya considers part of its maritime zone.
Tripoli argues that these areas remain legally disputed and that Greece’s actions lack a bilateral agreement or international legal basis. Libya views the move as a violation of its sovereign rights and of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Attached to the complaint were maritime maps drawn from the 2019 Turkey–Libya memorandum of understanding, an agreement that Greece has long rejected as illegitimate. This marks the first time Libya has publicly submitted those maps to the United Nations in an official context.
The Libyan government also expressed concern over the European Union’s apparent support for Greece’s licensing plans, citing their appearance in the EU’s official journal. It warned that European involvement risks further complicating the dispute and could undermine regional stability.
Despite the strong language, Libya emphasized that it remains committed to dialogue and negotiation. However, it warned that unilateral attempts to enforce facts on the ground would not produce a lasting settlement. Tripoli called on the United Nations to take a more active role in preventing escalation and preserving peace in the eastern Mediterranean.
Greek officials, meanwhile, have dismissed Libya’s position. Media in Athens reported that Greece intends to respond formally at the UN but insists it will continue energy exploration near Crete, supported by international firms and legally grounded in its interpretation of maritime law.
