Libya secures maritime borders as sovereign priority

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dabaiba of Libya’s Government of National Unity convened a high-level meeting Wednesday, 23 April, to address the nation’s maritime border security, declaring it “a sovereign matter that directly impacts Libya’s national security.”

The talks brought together key officials including State Minister for Communication and Political Affairs Walid Al-Lafi, Transportation Minister Mohammed Al-Shahoubi, Chairman of the Land and Maritime Borders Committee at the Foreign Ministry Mohammed Al-Harari, National Oil Corporation Chairman Masoud Suleiman, and Cabinet Secretary-General Rashid Bougafa.

“This issue cannot be treated as merely technical – it requires a coordinated national political approach,” Dabaiba said, according to an official government statement released following the meeting.

Officials identified several obstacles hampering the completion of maritime demarcation efforts and emphasised the need for “institutional harmony” combining technical precision with legal frameworks to establish a unified Libyan position in anticipation of future regional disputes, according to government sources.

Suleiman warned that any legal or geographical uncertainties could disrupt offshore exploration and production activities. He stressed the importance of securing comprehensive legal protection for Libya’s maritime concession areas to safeguard national resources from external challenges.

The meeting concluded with a decision to establish a specialised “technical sovereign chamber” that will coordinate between relevant government entities, monitor implementation of maritime demarcation and monitoring plans, and strengthen Libya’s regional position in accordance with international maritime law and approved agreements.

Libya’s maritime borders have taken on increased significance in recent years amid ongoing disputes over natural resources in the Mediterranean region.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​