Story perspectives

Libya’s parliament ratifies 2019 Turkey maritime deal

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 3:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Libya's eastern House of Representatives ratified the 2019 maritime boundary memorandum with Turkey on 20 October 2026 in Benghazi.
The parliament voted unanimously, overturning its 2020 decision to boycott Turkey and signaling a shift toward Ankara.
Greece’s Foreign Ministry called the agreement illegal, null and void, and urged Libya to respect international law.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU regrets the ratification and backs Greece and Cyprus.

History

Historical Context

In November 2019 Turkey and Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord signed a maritime treaty defining a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, echoing the 1982 UNCLOS EEZ concept. The deal provoked Greece, the EU and regional states, who denounced it as illegal and spurred a counter-maritime pact between Greece and Egypt in August 2020. The recent ratification in Benghazi revives that dispute, raising fresh diplomatic tensions.

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Story summary

Libya's eastern House of Representatives ratified the 2019 maritime boundary memorandum with Turkey on 20 October 2026 in Benghazi.
The parliament voted unanimously, overturning its 2020 decision to boycott Turkey and signaling a shift toward Ankara.
Greece’s Foreign Ministry called the agreement illegal, null and void, and urged Libya to respect international law.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU regrets the ratification and backs Greece and Cyprus.

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