Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of forces in eastern Libya, backed a disputed maritime pact with Türkiye, saying it could protect Libya's economic interests and create investment opportunities.
Anadolu Agency reported that Haftar expressed the view in a Facebook statement. He also called for Libya's divided institutions to be brought together and said sovereignty should guide the country's foreign relations. Haftar said the agreement could strengthen ties with Ankara.
His remarks followed the eastern-based House of Representatives' unanimous Oct. 20 vote to approve the maritime memorandum, which defines areas of jurisdiction in the Mediterranean. The decision reversed the House's 2020 opposition. Lawmakers also withdrew two resolutions: one opposed ratification of two memoranda with Türkiye, while the other called for severing political ties with Ankara. The House specified that its approval covered the maritime memorandum only.
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry welcomed the vote and said the pact has been in force since 2019. Greece's Foreign Ministry rejected the decision, arguing that the agreement disregards the maritime rights of Greek islands. It said Türkiye and Libya lack opposite or adjacent coasts that would justify the proposed boundary, and pledged to defend Greece's sovereign rights.
The House's next sitting is scheduled for Nov. 2 in Sabha. It has announced no further maritime decision for that session.
