Egypt rejects Turkey-Libya deal on sea rights, security

Egypt says in a letter to U.N. Security Council that it rejects two agreements between Turkey and Libya’s U.N.-supported government on maritime rights in Mediterranean and military cooperation.

maritime deal would give Turkey access to an ecomic zone across Mediterranean, over objections of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, which lie between Turkey and Libya geographically.

Egypt’s U.N. Ambassor Mohammed Edrees said in letter obtained Thursday by Associated Press that by signing deal, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj violated backed 2015 agreement that established country’s interim government, which Security Council endorsed.

Egyptian envoy said agreement requires Presidency Council as a whole — t just president of council acting alone — to conclude international agreements. And y have to be endorsed by House of Representatives.

Egyptian ambassor said House of Representatives has t endorsed two memorandums of understanding with Turkey.

Edrees said military cooperation agreement allows “ transfer of weapons and ammunition to Mr. Serraj and western militias,” a provision that “clearly violates” Security Council resolutions on Libya, particularly arms embargo on country.that lies on Egypt’s western border.

Egyptian government “rejects and does t recognize any measures, conduct or legal effects that may arise from memorandums of understanding,” ambassor said.

Egypt called on United Nations to reject any efforts to give legal validity to two memorandums, Edrees said.

Libya has been in turmoil since a civil war in 2011 toppled Moammar Ghafi, who was later killed. In chaos that followed, country was divided, with a weak U.N.-supported ministration in Tripoli overseeing country’s west and a rival government in east aligned with Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter, each supported by an array of militias and foreign governments.

Hifter launched a surprise military offensive April 4 aimed at capturing Tripoli despite commitments to attend a national conference weeks later aimed at forming a united government and moving toward elections. Fighting for Tripoli stalled in recent months, and Hifter anunced on Dec. 12 that his troops were embarking on a new “decisive” battle to capture capital.

Libyan National Army and eastern government enjoy support of France, Russia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and or key Arab countries while Tripoli-based government is backed by Italy, Turkey and Qatar.

Egypt’s letter is part of fallout from Turkey-Libya agreements.

Neighbors Greece and Turkey are divided by a series of deces-old issues, including territorial disputes in Aegean Sea. NATO allies have come to brink of war three times since 1970s, including once over drilling rights in Aegean, and Greece ordered expulsion of Libyan ambassor in a recent escalation of dispute.

Greece insists deal with Libya — which has fully functioning government able to rule across all of its territory — is unenforceable. Like its EU partners, Greece recognizes United Nations-endorsed Libyan government based in Tripoli in west of country.

Meanwhile, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasies spoke by phone on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. A statement from Cyprus’ government spokesman said two leers agreed that “all necessary measures” must be taken to obstruct implementation of illegal agreement.

“ Egyptian president considers that possible military presence of Turkey in Libya creates an immediate danger for destabilization of region,” statement said.

European Union has also opposed maritime agreement, saying it “infringes upon sovereign rights of third states, does t comply with Law of Sea and cant produce any legal consequences for third states.”

“ European Council unequivocally reaffirms its solidarity with Greece and Cyprus regarding se actions by Turkey,” council said.

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Associated Press writers Raf Casert in Brussels and Menelaos Hjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus contributed to this report