Libya Rejects Greek Demand to Scrap Turkey Maritime Deal

Date: 08 December 2025 - 21:51

News ID: ۱۴۶۶۳۱

BENGHAZI (Dispatches) — Libya’s parliament has sharply condemned recent Greek calls to annul the 2019 maritime boundary agreement with Turkey, describing them as a blatant violation of Libyan sovereignty.
Misbah Ouhida, the parliament’s second deputy speaker, criticized Greek Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis’ remarks on Monday, calling them “unacceptable interference” in Libya’s internal affairs.
Ouhida expressed “astonishment and disapproval” over repeated Greek statements challenging the agreement, emphasizing that Libya, as a fully sovereign state, alone determines its national interests.
He asserted that international accords signed by Libya are “sovereign decisions governed by international law” and that no external actor has the authority to dictate their continuation or cancellation.
The 2019 memorandum of understanding, signed between the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Ankara, delineates maritime jurisdictions in the Eastern Mediterranean, granting both nations access to resource-rich zones.
Greece has long opposed the pact, claiming it infringes upon its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf rights, fueling ongoing tensions with Turkey. Libya, however, has consistently defended the agreement, highlighting its legitimacy under international law.
Ouhida underscored the importance of “good neighborliness” and bilateral relations based on mutual respect. He called on Greece to exercise restraint, respect Libyan sovereignty, and refrain from attempts to interfere in the country’s foreign policy. The firm Libyan stance signals Tripoli’s determination to maintain the maritime deal and resist external pressure.
The dispute has also intensified amid growing regional diplomatic realignments. Reports indicate that Greece is seeking closer ties with Israel and other nations opposed to Turkey, particularly as tensions escalate in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. Libya’s reaffirmation of the pact underscores its strategic partnership with Turkey and reinforces its position against foreign encroachment on its sovereign decisions.
The parliament’s statement sends a clear message: Libya will defend its international agreements and uphold its maritime rights, while urging neighboring states to respect its authority and independence.