Libya: Benghazi threatens research south of Crete

The "government" of Benghazi is threatening Greece with its own "research" in the area of ​​the plots south of Crete, reacting to the Greek initiative for licensing.

This move comes days after Benghazi's announcement, which accused Greece of violating Libya's sovereign rights. These developments underscore the need for immediate contact with both sides in Libya to explore intentions and seek a resumption of talks on the delimitation of maritime zones.

Osama Hamad, the "prime minister" appointed by Parliament in the parallel government of Benghazi, expressed his opposition to the publication in the EU Official Journal of the tender for the licensing of the two plots south of Crete, claiming that part of the plots falls within the Libyan EEZ. He warned that if there is no dialogue, Libya will resort to granting licenses for the same areas to companies specializing in hydrocarbon exploration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has almost completed preparations for the visit of Giorgos Gerapetritis to Tripoli and Benghazi, probably on July 6. The agenda also includes immigration, as trafficking rings are diverting flows to Crete.

The "government" of Benghazi, considering that the two Greek plots violate the Libyan EEZ, positioned itself against Greece, following the example of the Dbeibah government in Tripoli. On Sunday, the Greek Consul General Ag. Kalognomis was summoned to the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" in Benghazi and handed a protest note.

O. Hamad also announced the establishment of a committee to review the delimitation of borders in the Exclusive Economic Zone.