Israel condemns eastern Libyan parliament's policy flip, ratification of Turkey maritime deal

"Israel strongly condemns the decision of the Libyan House of Representatives to ratify the Maritime Jurisdiction Memorandum between Turkey and Libya."

Israel's Foreign Ministry released a statement on Wednesday condemning the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) for ratifying a maritime jurisdiction memorandum with Turkey.

"Israel strongly condemns the decision of the Libyan House of Representatives to ratify the Maritime Jurisdiction Memorandum between Turkey and Libya. This agreement infringes upon the sovereign rights of our close allies in the region. Regretfully, once again, we see Turkey working to destabilize the eastern Mediterranean region," the ministry wrote on X/Twitter.

The HoR is the legislative body representing eastern Libya, based out of Benghazi and Tobruk.

They backed the maritime deal with Turkey to "bring strategic economic, political, and national security advantages," according to two lawmakers who spoke with Reuters. The backing of the deal overturns a 2020 decision to cut political ties with Ankara.

Control of Libya is split between rival western and eastern administrations, with the east under Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Turkey has in the past been a major backer of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in the west, succeeded by the Government of National Unity, which still holds de facto international recognition and rules from Tripoli.

'Some countries may be upset,' but Libya follows national interest

The maritime deal covering claims in the eastern Mediterranean had been agreed to by the GNA with Turkey in 2019, but was rejected by authorities in eastern Libya, as well as by Egypt and Greece, sparking a boycott.

Libyan lawmaker Tarek al-Jeroushi told Reuters the agreement would strengthen Libya's position as a political, military and economic partner to major powers.

"Some countries may be upset by this agreement, but what matters to us is our national interest," he said.

Lawmaker Aisha al-Tabalqi told Reuters the agreement was approved after specialized committees presented a full and detailed explanation of its provisions.

The parliament unanimously revoked two decisions issued in 2020: one rejecting the ratification of maritime and security memorandums signed by Libya's GNA and Turkey, and another cutting political relations with Ankara.

Greece on Tuesday rejected the decision, saying the deal was without legal effect.