Libyan Parliament Reverses Course, Approves Türkiye Maritime Deal

Libya’s eastern House of Representatives on 20 October 2026 unanimously approved the 2019 maritime memorandum with Türkiye and repealed 2020 Resolution No. 1 rejecting the memorandums and Resolution No. 6 calling for severing political ties with Ankara. Türkiye and the Government of National Accord under Fayez al-Sarraj signed the deal on 27 November 2019; it entered into force that December and was registered with the UN. Lawmaker Tarek al-Jeroushi said, "Some countries may be upset by this agreement, but what matters to us is our national interest." Aisha al-Tabalqi said specialised committees had explained its provisions. Middle East Eye cast the decision as a strategic win for Turkey. Jalel Harchaoui called it very strategic and profound and said Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the UAE were probably very unhappy. Bilgehan Ozturk said Turkey can provide defence-industry help, investment and international acceptance that Greece cannot. A Libya-based source linked progress to Kalın’s ties with Khalifa Haftar. Greece says the deal disregards Crete and Rhodes; Greece and Egypt signed a competing agreement in August 2020. The vote shifts eastern Libya’s stance but does not resolve the deal’s contested international legality.