Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on X that it “strongly condemns” the Libyan House of Representatives’ decision to ratify a Maritime Jurisdiction Memorandum with Turkey. The ministry said the agreement infringes on the sovereign rights of Israel’s regional allies and accused Ankara of working to destabilize the eastern Mediterranean.
The House of Representatives is the legislative body representing eastern Libya, with its principal bases in Benghazi and Tobruk.
Two lawmakers told Reuters that parliament backed the maritime agreement to secure strategic economic, political and national-security advantages. Their support reverses a 2020 decision to sever political ties with Ankara.
Libya is divided between rival western and eastern administrations, with the east led by Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Turkey has been a major supporter of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord in the west and its successor, the Government of National Unity, which continues to rule from Tripoli.
The maritime agreement, which addresses competing claims in the eastern Mediterranean, was initially signed by the GNA and Turkey in 2019. Authorities in eastern Libya, as well as Egypt and Greece, rejected it, prompting a boycott of the deal.
Libyan lawmaker Tarek al-Jeroushi told Reuters that the agreement would strengthen Libya’s standing as a political, military and economic partner to major powers.
“Some countries may be upset by this agreement, but what matters to us is our national interest,” he said.
Lawmaker Aisha al-Tabalqi told Reuters that parliament approved the agreement after specialized committees provided a detailed explanation of its provisions.
Lawmakers unanimously overturned two resolutions adopted in 2020: one rejecting the ratification of maritime and security memorandums signed by Libya’s GNA and Turkey, and another ending political relations with Ankara.
Greece rejected the decision on Tuesday, saying the agreement had no legal effect.