Akila Saleh, the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR), based in Benghazi, publicly declared the 2019 Turkey-Libya Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on maritime boundaries “null and void.” This marks the first such public statement since 2019 by Saleh, who recently visited Athens.
In an interview with the Libyan News Agency (LANA), Speaker Saleh stated that the MoU is invalid and, concurrently, opens the door for negotiations with Greece, Egypt, and Turkey concerning the delimitation of maritime zones.
Key developments and legal stance in Turkey-Libya maritime boundaries
Saleh’s position, articulated in full coordination with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, forcefully reaffirms the invalidity of the Turkey-Libya MoU, a stance of considerable significance, as it effectively closes the door on any possibility of ratification by the Libyan Parliament. This declaration represents a major development because it de-legitimizes any practical attempt by Ankara to implement the MoU on the ground.
The statement comes within a broader diplomatic context, following Saleh’s visit to Athens, where he met with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, as well as a separate visit by Haftar to Cairo, during which he discussed maritime delimitations with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Saleh stressed that the House of Representatives is the sole competent authority empowered to ratify international agreements, reiterating that the “maritime agreement signed by the Fayez al-Sarraj government with Turkey was neither presented to nor approved by the House of Representatives, and is therefore legally null and void and non-binding for the Libyan state.”
He further explained that international agreements can only be concluded by a legitimate government that has received a vote of confidence from the HoR, emphasizing that what the al-Sarraj government signed did not reflect the will of the Libyan people and concluding that “what is built upon illegality remains illegal, no matter how much time passes.”
Libya on maritime boundaries: Opportunity for redefining jurisdictions
The Speaker highlighted that Libya now has a new opportunity to redefine its maritime jurisdictions in the Eastern Mediterranean through negotiations involving Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. He underscored that the next phase should be one of consensus, not confrontation, and stressed that Libyan sovereignty over its territorial waters is a red line that cannot be violated.
Regarding international reactions, Saleh stated that some countries recognize the MoU’s lack of legitimacy, while others treated it as a fait accompli for political reasons, adding that any agreement not ratified by the HoR is not binding on the Libyan state.
Views on interested parties
Saleh addressed the positions of key interested parties, noting that Greece initially adopted a firm stance in response to the perceived harm to its interests but later demonstrated a willingness to engage in dialogue. Egypt, by contrast, rejected the memorandum from the outset, citing concerns that it could generate broader regional instability.
Saleh’s reference to Turkey has prompted some questions, as he stated that Ankara has expressed readiness to enter into comprehensive negotiations with Libya, a development that could potentially open the way for a multilateral dialogue focused on safeguarding Libyan rights.
Libyan reservations and negotiation plan
Saleh clarified that his statements do not signify an acceptance of the Greek positions. He specifically criticized Greece’s reliance on the island of Crete to determine the extension of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which he characterized as “illogical and excessively close to the Libyan coast” and unsupported by international law.
He stressed that Libya is not obliged to choose between the Egypt-Greece axis or the Turkey axis. The Libyan state is independent, and its national interests form the basis of all negotiations to ensure balanced relations with all parties. The Speaker explained that the dialogue with the three countries will proceed on three levels, namely:
Technical: For boundary delimitation
Legal: For reviewing agreements and international standards
Political: For securing interests and balances between the states
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