East Libya Court Annuls GNA Agreements with Turkey
Arab World
Asharq Alawsat
Libya’s east-based government announced that an appeals court has canceled the border demarcation and security cooperation agreements between the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkey. Signed around two years ago, the agreements were considered highly controversial. In December 2019, Turkey signed with the GNA, which is an interim non-elected government, two MoUs on defense, and gas drilling in the Mediterranean. The maritime border agreement was rejected by several countries, such as Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and the UAE, and was described as an illegal act that violated the sovereignty of other Mediterranean states. In fact, according to the Libyan parliament these agreements “aim at violating the sovereignty of Libya.” Aguila Saleh, speaker of the Tobruk-based parliament, warned that there will be “no compromise” on the North African country’s unity. Armed militias enlisted in the GNA’s Sirte and Jufrah Operations Room demanded the full payment of all outstanding dues and requirements, otherwise they will continue to block the coastal highway connecting the country’s east and west. German Ambassador to Libya Oliver Owcza, during phone call conversations with top GNA military leaders, stressed the need to reopen the coastal road. “Constructive calls took place with General Al Jouili and General Abu Shahma on security developments. We discussed the urgent need of the coastal road opening to create confidence and economic perspectives. We also addressed the agreed withdrawal of foreign fighters,” Owcza tweeted. In other news, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stated that Stephanie Williams will continue her duties in the role of UN envoy until Ján Kubiš takes up office in early February after a smooth transition of power. UNSMIL also called for the unification of the country's electoral authorities for the municipal council elections. In a statement, the mission appealed for more progress in the political process to secure the necessary conditions for holding national elections. It urged all Libyan stakeholders, institutions and actors involved in municipal elections, including the eastern-based House of Representatives, to support and facilitate cooperation between the two electoral entities of the capital Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi, as an essential step towards the unification of Libyan institutions.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2770536/east-libya-court-annuls-gna-agreements-turkey
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