Libya's Foreign Ministry decried on Wednesday Greek's government after the latter struck a deal with international companies to start research and exploration for oil and gas in the Libyan-Greek maritime borders.

In late November, Greece announced new seismic survey operations for oil and gas in a disputed area off the island of Crete.

Libya accused Greece of taking root to exploit the Libyan crisis and impose a fait accompli in defining the common maritime borders between the two countries.

The ministry said it had verified reports concerning Greece's contract with international companies and the Sanko Swift ship, which specializes in research and surveying in the eastern Mediterranean.

"Greece is conducting exploration contracts in a disputed area in the south and southwest of the islands of Crete," a readout from the Foreign Ministry said, pledging to take legal and diplomatic measures to defend Libya's rights and sovereignty in its maritime areas.