Eastern Libya parliament approves Turkey maritime deal

Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives voted unanimously on October 20 to approve a 2019 maritime memorandum with Turkey and revoke its 2020 rejection of the deal and decision to sever political ties with Ankara, according to lawmakers and a parliamentary statement. The vote reverses the eastern parliament’s earlier position on an agreement signed by Turkey and Libya’s then Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. Lawmaker Aisha al-Tabalqi said specialised committees had presented a detailed explanation of the memorandum’s provisions. Lawmaker Tarek al-Jeroushi said it would strengthen Libya’s position as a political, military and economic partner to major powers. The 2020 decisions had rejected ratification of the maritime and security memorandums and called for cutting political relations with Ankara. The eastern parliament’s latest action repealed both measures. Its announcement establishes the vote and reversal, but the available reports do not establish that all formal ratification steps are complete. Greece rejected the decision, with its foreign ministry saying the memorandum has no legal effect, violates international law of the sea and infringes the...