Libyan PM Dbeibah Signals Willingness to Discuss Maritime Boundaries with Egypt

Libyan Prime Minister Offers to Resolve Maritime Dispute

On 24 October 2026, the office of Libya’s United Nations‑recognised Government of National Unity announced that Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah had spoken with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. During the phone call, the Libyan leader said his government was prepared to address Cairo’s concerns regarding Mediterranean maritime boundaries and economic waters. The statement was released by Dbeibah’s office in Cairo. It noted that the discussion covered bilateral relations and coordination on matters of mutual interest. The call came after Egypt publicly rejected a maritime boundaries agreement that had been ratified by Libya’s eastern‑based parliament and involved Turkey.

Background

The dispute centres on a 2019 agreement between Libya’s internationally recognised government in Tripoli and Turkey. That accord defined maritime zones and economic rights in the eastern Mediterranean. The rival eastern administration, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, had withheld approval for years, leaving the deal in a state of limbo. Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have all opposed the Libya‑Turkey agreement, arguing that it infringes on their own maritime claims. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Egypt declared the deal null and void and said it would have no legal effect on Egyptian interests. Libya remains divided between the Tripoli‑based Government of National Unity and the Haftar‑aligned authorities in the east. The country’s split governance has complicated the resolution of maritime claims, which are tied to potential energy exploration rights. The Libyan‑Egyptian border is a long‑standing point of security and economic cooperation. Both countries share land ties and have historically coordinated on regional security matters.

Why it Matters

The maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean are crucial for access to offshore oil and gas resources. Disputes over these zones can affect international shipping routes, fishing rights and the allocation of hydrocarbon revenues. The involvement of Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt adds a geopolitical dimension, as each nation seeks to secure its own economic interests. Egypt’s rejection of the Libya‑Turkey deal signals its unwillingness to accept a maritime arrangement that it believes undermines its own claims. The Libyan Prime Minister’s willingness to engage suggests a potential shift toward resolving the dispute through dialogue rather than unilateral agreements. The outcome of these discussions could influence the broader stability of the eastern Mediterranean region, where overlapping claims have led to tensions among several states.

What Happens Next

The sources do not specify any concrete next steps or dates for further negotiations. The statement from Dbeibah’s office indicates that Libya is open to addressing the concerns, but no timetable for a formal agreement or additional talks has been announced. The situation remains fluid, with the Libyan‑Egyptian relationship and the broader maritime dispute continuing to evolve as each side seeks to protect its national interests.