The key facts

  • Libya's House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved the maritime agreement with Turkey, repealing previous decisions against it.
  • Saddam Haftar called the deal an instrument for protecting Libya's rights and economic interests in the Mediterranean Sea.
  • The agreement between Turkey and Libya was signed in November 2019.

Parliamentary approval and Haftar's reaction

Deputy commander of the Libyan forces in the east of the country Saddam Haftar said on Tuesday that Libya's maritime agreement with Turkey opens up opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation, investment and a 'long-term' partnership. In a statement published on Facebook, he welcomed the House of Representatives' unanimous decision to approve the agreement and repeal previous resolutions directed against the deal. These measures, he said, reflect a readiness to 'move beyond past disagreements' and to decide sovereign matters and matters of foreign relations based on Libya's highest interests.

The agreement as an instrument for protecting interests

Haftar characterised the maritime agreement as an instrument that 'can help protect Libya's rights and economic interests in the Mediterranean Sea and promote common interests with Turkey as an influential regional power'. He also noted that the deal opens broader prospects for developing bilateral relations and fostering mutual understanding on regional issues.

Principles and priorities

Haftar explained his position with principles that include prioritising Libya's interests, protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, preserving independent national decision-making and rejecting interference in internal affairs. These principles, he added, define relations with all countries and take priority over political considerations or alliances. According to him, Libya's national priority remains overcoming division, unifying state institutions and restoring state authority across the country, which will allow it to manage foreign relations independently and protect its interests and resources.

Context of the agreement

Haftar added that developing relations with Turkey is part of 'a broader approach to cooperation with regional and Mediterranean countries', and stressed that 'the doors to cooperation and partnership will remain open to all countries with which there are common interests, on the basis of equality, mutual respect and good neighbourliness'. His statements followed the Libyan House of Representatives' approval on Tuesday of the agreement on maritime jurisdiction with Turkey, which repealed the previous rejection of the deal. Turkey and Libya signed the agreement on delimiting maritime jurisdiction zones in the Mediterranean Sea in November 2019.