Turkey-Libya agreement angers Israel: "A sovereign decision, not harming anyone"

The Libyan House of Representatives unanimously approved the maritime border agreement with Turkey. The Speaker of the House claims it is a sovereign decision. Israel condemned it, Turkey responded sharply. Greece and Cyprus oppose it.

The Libyan House of Representatives unanimously approved the maritime border agreement with Turkey on October 20, 2026. The Speaker of the House, Salehin Abd al-Nabi, defended the agreement as a sovereign decision that does not harm others, in remarks published by the Turkish state news agency Anadolu. Israel condemned the move, with the Foreign Ministry arguing that the agreement violates the sovereign rights of its allies. Turkey responded with sharp criticism in state media and on the GZT website, which called Israel's response an "impudent statement." Greece and Cyprus oppose the agreement, claiming it infringes on their rights. For Israel, the agreement could complicate joint projects such as the EastMed gas pipeline. The original agreement was signed in November 2019 between Erdogan and the then-Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj.