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Libyans from across the country described the maritime boundary memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019 as a strategic guarantee of their country's rights in the Mediterranean, after the Libyan House of Representatives ratified the agreement. Congratulations and statements of satisfaction came from officials at every level in both the east and the west of the country.

An Anadolu Agency reporter asked people in Libya about the public response to the ratification and about their views on the objections raised by the European Union and Greece. Those interviewed said the deal serves Libyan and Turkish interests, opens the way for offshore drilling and oil exploration, and helps protect Libya's claims in the Mediterranean.

A real protection shield for Mediterranean rights

Hayri el-Koni es-Suveyri said the House of Representatives' approval of the agreement was very welcome and that the deal would make an important contribution to Libya's economy. Describing the ratification as a strategic step, Suveyri said the country had secured a major gain it deserved throughout its history, given the global rivalry and the situation on the international stage today. "This agreement forms a real protection shield for the rights that God has granted Libya from the blessings and favors of the Mediterranean," Suveyri said, calling it a strategic step that supports and strengthens the national economy.

Suveyri congratulated Libya, the Libyan people, the Turkish leadership and the Turkish people on what Suveyri called a real success that ended with the acceptance of the agreement and, it is hoped, its entry into force.

On Greece's objection, Suveyri said it was expected and completely normal, since Greece tried every means to prevent the agreement from entering into force. "They have their own grounds for defending the rights they see as justified, but we see our interest in this agreement: in close cooperation between Libya and Turkey at this exceptional and critical stage our country is going through," Suveyri said.

Key takeaways

• The Libyan House of Representatives ratified the 2019 Turkey-Libya memorandum on delimiting maritime jurisdiction areas, drawing congratulations from officials across the country's east and west.
• Libyans interviewed said the deal opens new horizons for oil exploration and offshore drilling that can support Libya's economic stability and benefit both countries.
• Tarık Hudud said the agreement is now in force under Libyan legislation and binding at the international level, while rejecting Greece's territorial waters claim as contrary to international law.
• Interviewees including Hayri el-Koni es-Suveyri described the accord as a real protection shield for Libya's rights in the Mediterranean and a strategic step for its economy.