Libya's eastern parliament backs maritime deal with Turkey, reversing years of opposition

Libya's eastern parliament has reversed its rejection of a 2019 maritime deal with Turkey covering competing claims in the eastern Mediterranean.

Libya's House of Representatives, which met in the eastern city of Benghazi, backed a maritime deal with Turkey that will bring strategic economic, political, and national security advantages, two lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday.

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.

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.

Libyan national interest is more important than international reactions, lawmaker says

"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.