Libya's eastern-based parliament, the House of Representatives in Tobruk, unanimously approved a 2019 maritime deal with Turkiye on Tuesday. The agreement, which delimits maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean and allows Ankara to claim potentially gas-rich areas, had already been signed by Libya's internationally recognized government in Tripoli.

Egypt and the European Union have rejected the ratification, calling the deal “null and void” and an infringement on sovereign rights. Israel also condemned the move, while Greece stated the agreement violates international law and briefed the United Nations Security Council. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan dismissed the criticism, asserting the deal is “entirely legitimate.” Both rival centers of power in Libya now back the deal.