Saddam Haftar welcomes unanimous approval of Libya-Türkiye maritime pact, saying it could protect Libya’s Mediterranean interests

Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of Libyan forces in the country’s east, welcomed the parliament’s unanimous approval of the maritime agreement with Türkiye and the repeal of earlier resolutions against it. In a statement posted on Facebook, he said the steps showed readiness to move beyond past disagreements and address sovereign matters in line with Libya’s supreme interests.

Haftar said the agreement could help protect Libya’s rights and economic interests in the Mediterranean while advancing shared interests with Türkiye, which he described as an influential regional power. He said his position reflected a commitment to national interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity, independent decision-making, and opposition to foreign interference in Libya’s internal affairs.

He said Libya’s primary goals remained ending internal divisions, unifying state institutions and restoring state authority so the country could independently manage foreign relations and protect national resources. His remarks followed the House of Representatives’ approval of the maritime jurisdiction agreement signed by Türkiye and Libya in November 2019, reversing its previous rejection of the deal.