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Turkey’s Maritime Muscle Flexing Roils Eastern Mediterranean

  • Turkey, Libya officially back contentious maritime deal
  • Turkey seeks to dominate Mediterranean energy contest
Fayez Al-Sarraj and Recep Tayyip Erdogan meet in Istanbul on Nov. 27.

Fayez Al-Sarraj and Recep Tayyip Erdogan meet in Istanbul on Nov. 27.

Photographer: Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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Turkey and Libya officially approved a contentious maritime deal that may fuel an energy showdown in the gas-rich waters of the eastern Mediterranean, where both countries are at odds with Greece.

The Nov. 27 preliminary agreement demarcates an 18.6-nautical mile (35-kilometer) line that will form the maritime boundary separating the two countries’ respective exclusive economic zones. Libya’s presidential council and Turkey’s parliament approved the memorandum of understanding, Anadolu Agency said Friday. It is now expected to be filed with the United Nations.