Libya’s Unity Gov’t not entitled to ink int’l deals, MoUs: Egypt, Greece

CAIRO – 3 October 2022: Egypt and Greece on Monday denied the right of Libya’s “outgoing” Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli to sign international deals and MoUs.

In a phone call, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias discussed the developments of the Libyan file and bilateral relations.

The ministers also agreed on the continuation of consultations on various regional and international issues of mutual concern within the framework of mutual coordination between the two countries.

The two ministers’ remarks come while Libya’s GNU signed a number of economic deals with the Turkish government in Tripoli with a gas exploration deal also in sight, a step that threatens to raise tensions between Greece and Turkey.

Greece considers today’s deals as part of a highly-controversial 2019 deal between Turkey and the former Tripoli-based government in 2019.

The 2019 agreement to delineate maritime boundaries between Turkey and Libya was condemned by Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus, affirming that it disregards their lawful rights in the Mediterranean.

Egypt and Turkey have been working to ease their tensions on the bilateral level, extending since the 2013 revolution, which ousted former Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi and ended his tenure after one year as president.

However, the two countries have not yet brought back their relations to normal and share conflicting visions on the regional arena, especially in Libya.