The Tripoli Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of suspending the implementation of the Libyan and Turkish Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on oil and gas (hydrocarbons) exploration.

According to the court ruling on Tuesday, the decision to suspend the MoU will be in effect until the final verdict on this case is announced.

Five lawyers appealed to the Court of Appeal in Tripoli against the MoU that was signed by the Government of National Unity (GNU) with Turkey regarding hydrocarbons exploration in the Mediterranean. They said that the Libyan political agreement "prevents the GNU from making any international agreements," noting that "the deal that was signed with Turkey had been called a memorandum of understanding, but it was a complete and extended oil agreement."

The lawyers added that the agreement violated several provisions of the Libyan Oil Law, especially the lack of experience of the Turkish companies in this field. They also asked the Court of Appeal to suspend implementing the agreement because "it takes away the exclusive jurisdiction over the oil trade by the Libyan National Oil Corporation."

The Government of National Unity signed in early October 2022, new agreements with Turkey that allow Turkish companies to explore for oil and gas in Libyan waters.