Turkey and Libya reacted with anger at the decision of Greece to expel the Libyan ambassador to Athens. The foreign ministers of both countries condemned the expulsion as “unacceptable”, while Tripolis added that they would apply reciprocity had Greece an ambassador there.

O, Friday morning, Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, announced that he had expelled the Libyan ambassador to Athens and gave him 72 hours to leave the country. “This does not mean we break diplomatic ties with Libya.”

“We condemn this decision. Libya is an independent and sovereign state. This has shown the true colors of Greece.” Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu said adding that “threatening language is not acceptable.”.

on Greek decision to expel Libyan ambassador over Ankara-Tripoli maritime deal

He claimed that “had they asked us, we could have given a copy of the maritime deal to Greece. They didn’t. This is outrageous.”

Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu reported on Friday that Libya’s foreign minister said “Greece can apply to international justice if it has objections to Tripoli’s maritime memorandum with Turkey.”

Speaking to reuters, Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siyala described the expulsion as “unacceptable.”

He added “Greece does not have diplomatic representation in Libya, but Libya would have reciprocated the move if it did.”

On November 27, Turkey and Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) signed the bilateral memorandum.

The memorandum asserts Turkey’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean in the face of unilateral drilling by the Greek Cypriot administration. The deal deprives Greek islands incl Crete of their maritime zones in the East.

Cavusoglu said Ankara was open to bilateral and multilateral agreements in the eastern Mediterranean region, with the only exception being Greek Cypriot administration, which it does not recognize.

PS the government in Tripolis found a trustworthy partner and protector, my cat said and burst into laughter.