Greece said Friday it had decided to expel the Libyan ambassador in anger over a November 27 deal between Libya and Turkey to demarcate their maritime border near Crete.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in a press briefing that Ambassador Mohamed Younes, who is in exile, has 72 hours to leave the country, describing the Libyan-Turkish agreement as a "flagrant violation of international law."
The move comes a day after the Turkish parliament ratified the Turkish-Libyan memorandum of understanding on the demarcation of the maritime areas of influence.
Athens said on Thursday that the agreement signed last week between Turkey and Libya to divide areas of influence and interests in the Mediterranean between them, a violation of international maritime law.
Athens represents the view that Turkey and Libya violate this agreement Greek continental shelf south of the island of Crete, in contrast Ankara believes that the island of Crete does not have a continental shelf behind its territorial waters.
| Erdogan: Memorandum will achieve its goal as long as the legitimate government in Libya withstood (Getty Images) |
Rights and understanding
According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey seeks through this agreement to preserve its "rights" in the eastern Mediterranean and to ensure equitable participation in the natural resources of the region.
For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya on the determination of maritime powers between the two countries, will achieve its goal as long as the legitimate government in Libya withstand.
He pointed out that there are parties trying to launch lies about that the Convention is not compatible with international laws, stressing that the Convention is fully consistent with international maritime law.
On 27 November, President Erdogan signed two memorandums of understanding with Fayez al-Sarraj, chairman of the Presidential Council of the Libyan Government of National Accord, which is internationally recognized.
Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and the Libyan Council of Representatives in Tobruk objected to the notes.