Saleh: House of Representatives Alone Authorized to Approve Int'l Deals

​The Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, Counselor Aguila Saleh, affirmed that the legislative authority will not permit the imposition of any maritime agreement on Libya outside of approved constitutional rules, stressing that the House of Representatives is the only body legally authorized to ratify international treaties, according to 'Libya update' website.

Saleh declared that any agreement not presented to the House for ratification is considered legally void.

​In statements to the Libyan News Agency (LANA), Saleh clarified that the maritime agreement signed between Fayez al-Sarraj’s government and Turkey lacks legal legitimacy because that government did not receive a vote of confidence from the House of Representatives and lacked the constitutional authority to conclude major international agreements. 

He confirmed that the agreement was never submitted to Parliament for approval, emphasizing that any action based on an illegal foundation remains void regardless of the time elapsed, a fact he believes the international community is aware of.

​The Speaker noted the varied international stances on the agreement—some countries recognized its illegitimacy, while others treated it as a de facto reality for political reasons. He maintained that government changes do not affect the stability of constitutional legitimacy. 

He pointed out that Greece recently expressed a desire to open a dialogue, Egypt’s position was clear from the start in rejecting the agreement due to regional stability risks, and Turkey has shown readiness to enter comprehensive negotiations with Libya.

​Counselor Saleh explained that Libya does not oppose agreements with any country, including Turkey, but any such deal must be concluded through a legitimate, approved government, based on technical studies prepared by specialists, and then submitted to the House for approval after ensuring the security of Libya’s maritime borders. 

Regarding the Greek position, he stated that Athens relies on islands near the Libyan coast, primarily Crete, to define its exclusive economic zone, which he argued gives Greece an unjustified maritime extension at the expense of Libyan rights, stressing that international law does not support such claims. Saleh disclosed that specialized technical committees have been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report on the technical and geopolitical aspects of maritime demarcation.

​He confirmed informing the Greek side and other parties that any agreement must be conducted through a legitimate government approved by the House, and its final version must be presented to Parliament for ratification through the correct constitutional process. 

Assessing the agreement's consequences, the Speaker said it caused internal confusion and a regional crisis, dragging Libya into regional conflicts without a unified national vision. He affirmed that work is underway to address the effects of this mistake and turn it into an opportunity that protects Libyan interests.

​Counselor Saleh stressed that Libya is an independent state, not subordinate to any regional axis, and will not be a tool in the conflicts of others. He explained that relations with Egypt, Greece, and Turkey are based on balanced dialogue and the protection of national interests, without full alignment with any party. 

He affirmed that Libyan sovereignty, particularly its maritime borders, is a red line that cannot be compromised, clarifying that discussions can only pertain to technical or procedural aspects without infringing upon the state’s sovereign rights. 

He stated that any future dialogue will be based on three main tracks: technical for border demarcation, legal for studying international standards, and political for balancing interests, believing this approach will lead to a fair and sustainable agreement. 

Addressing the internal debate on the issue, he attributed it to a lack of information and committed to full transparency, ensuring any agreement will be presented to Parliament for public discussion with no secret deals.

Finally, Saleh delivered a message to the Libyan people, assuring them the House of Representatives will only approve what protects the country and its rights, stressing that Libya has a real opportunity to rebuild its maritime policy, with Parliament acting as the legislative guarantor of the Libyan people’s rights.