Libyan parliament reportedly approves Türkiye maritime deal it rejected in 2020

Libya's House of Representatives approved the 2019 maritime jurisdiction memorandum with Türkiye at Tuesday's session, Lebanese media reported. The House had rejected the deal in January 2020.

Libya's House of Representatives approved the 2019 memorandum of understanding with Türkiye on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean at its session on Tuesday, according to Lebanese media. The House also reportedly formed a committee to address divisions in the judiciary.

The memorandum draws part of the two countries' continental shelf and exclusive economic zone boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Map of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean

From rejection to approval

The House, based in eastern Libya, voted against the memorandum in January 2020. Its former speaker, Aguila Saleh, said in December 2025 that the deal did not bind the Libyan state because it had never been submitted to the House. Libyan media reported that the House's new leadership under Salheen Abdel Nabi was preparing to hold a session to vote on it.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and then-Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj signed the memorandum on Nov. 27, 2019. It took effect on Dec. 8 that year and was registered with the UN in October 2020.

Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt oppose the memorandum. Ties between Ankara and eastern Libya have warmed recently, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visiting Benghazi in August.