Libya’s House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh Issa has described the maritime boundary agreement signed between Turkey and the former Government of National Accord as null and void, stressing that it lacks any legal standing because it was never approved by Parliament.
In an exclusive interview with the Libyan News Agency (LANA), Saleh said the government led by Fayez al-Sarraj never received a vote of confidence from the legislature and therefore had no authority to conclude international agreements. He added that the memorandum was neither submitted to the House of Representatives nor ratified, a failure that alone renders it legally nonexistent.
Lack of Institutional Legitimacy
Saleh underlined that Libya’s Constitution is explicit: international agreements may be signed only by governments that have been formally endorsed by Parliament. “This is a constitutional rule that cannot be bypassed,” he said, noting that the agreement in question was concluded without institutional legitimacy.
Turning to Libya’s future maritime policy, the parliamentary speaker pointed to an opportunity to redefine the country’s position in the eastern Mediterranean through a broader framework of negotiations involving Greece, Egypt and Turkey. He argued that the next phase should be marked by dialogue rather than confrontation, while making clear that Libya’s sovereignty over its territorial waters remains a “red line.”
Views on Greece and Regional Reactions
On international responses, Saleh observed that some countries acknowledge the agreement’s illegality, while others treat it as a fait accompli for political reasons. Referring to Greece, he said Athens initially reacted strongly, viewing the deal as harmful to its interests, but now appears more open to dialogue.
He also highlighted Egypt’s consistent stance that the agreement undermines regional stability, while noting that Turkey has expressed readiness for comprehensive negotiations.
Saleh clarified that he does not reject in principle the prospect of an agreement with Turkey. However, he emphasized that any such arrangement must be examined by experts, presented to a legitimate government and ultimately approved by the House of Representatives.
