Libya’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, pushed back against claims that his country had provoked tensions, following reports of planned research activity in contested waters
There has been a 173% increase in arrivals to Greece from Eastern Libya, indicating a sharp rise in migratory pressure on the Eastern Mediterranean front
"I have asked the Minister of National Defence and the military leadership to ensure that naval ships are dispatched outside Libyan waters," Mitsotakis said.
Sources at the Greek Foreign Ministry say "Greece is not afraid to exercise its own sovereign rights."
News that east Libya's parliament is eying the creation of a committee to study the maritime deal, which Greece considers as illegal, has reverberated throughout the wider region
Media reports later cited five fatalities, dozens missing; 124 people rescued in 3 separate incidents involving migrant boats in the same sea region over recent period
Media reports on Tuesday: 17 European nations, including Greece, call for new laws to achieve 'effective returns' to deal with irregular migrant issue
Press report in Athens quotes military source as saying F-16s scramble to ID Russian planes flying from Syria to Libya through southern-most part of Athens FIR