Egypt turns to U.S. to block Libya-Turkey maritime deal

Egypt is seeking U.S. support to prevent Libya’s eastern government from backing a disputed maritime agreement signed in 2019 between Turkey and Libya’s western government, Middle East Eye reports.

Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus oppose the deal, arguing it conflicts with their territorial claims in the Mediterranean, an area eyed for energy exploration and fishing rights.

In June, Libya’s national oil company signed an agreement with Turkey’s state oil company to begin geological surveys in four offshore zones.

The European Commission has declared the maritime deal violates international law.

Last month, Egypt’s foreign minister reportedly raised the issue in a call with Massad Boulos, the U.S. senior adviser for Africa, who reportedly agreed to discuss it with Khalifa Haftar, who controls eastern Libya.

Although Haftar’s government initially rejected the deal, it now appears poised to endorse it within the coming weeks. Greece’s Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis plans to visit Benghazi and Tripoli this week to discuss the dispute.