Eastern Libya approves disputed Turkey maritime pact

Libya's House of Representatives voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the 2019 maritime memorandum of understanding with Turkey, reopening one of the Eastern Mediterranean's most contested territorial disputes.

The accord was first signed in November 2019 between Turkey and Libya's then-Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. It defines maritime zones between the two countries that Greece, Cyprus and Egypt have consistently rejected, arguing that the geography does not permit such a boundary. Greece called Tuesday's vote "illegal, null and void." Cyprus issued its own condemnation. Egypt, a longstanding supporter of the Haftar-aligned eastern parliament, rejected the deal as well.

The eastern parliament had opposed the memorandum since it was originally signed. That position reversed after Aguila Saleh, the long-serving speaker seen as close to Cairo, was replaced earlier this month. The same session also reversed a 2020 vote severing political ties with Ankara.

Turkey's foreign ministry welcomed the decision. Athens and Cairo had signed their own bilateral maritime boundary agreement in August 2020 in direct response to the original Turkey-Libya deal, and this week's vote is expected to prompt a fresh round of diplomatic pressure across the region.

Libya's coastline has drawn competing foreign interests in recent weeks. A Russian warship at Tobruk went dark on AIS tracking systems in early October, raising questions about the extent of Moscow's naval presence along the North African coast.