Libya has become a central focus of US strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean, as Washington seeks to organize a four-nation conference involving Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Libya to resolve disputes over overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs). A unified Libyan representation remains the key condition for the US initiative to move forward.
The effort gained momentum after a meeting in Paris between Mohamed al-Menfi, head of Libya’s Presidential Council, and US Senior Adviser for Africa Massad Boulos. The discussion focused on Libya’s political normalization between Tripoli and Benghazi and the country’s energy wealth. Boulos is considered the main US architect behind the planned quadrilateral talks. Al-Menfi holds one of Libya’s two top institutional roles, while the other belongs to Aguila Saleh, speaker of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Chevron executives visited Tripoli to explore energy cooperation, meeting Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and the leadership of the National Oil Corporation. The delegation discussed oil exploration, renewables, and technology transfer.
Turkey is closely monitoring these developments. Turkish Ambassador Guven Begec met Libya’s Oil Minister Khalifa Abdul Sadiq on October 27 to discuss energy collaboration. Last summer, Tripoli granted the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) two offshore blocks south of the midline claimed by Greece between Libya and Crete.
Regional diplomacy has also intensified elsewhere. Lebanon’s cabinet, led by President Joseph Aoun, ratified its 2007 maritime border agreement with Cyprus, finalizing the tripoint with Israel. Cyprus was represented by Tasos Tzionis, head of the Cypriot Intelligence Service. A follow-up meeting between Aoun and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides will finalize the decrees for UN submission.
Lebanon also approved exploration in offshore Block 8 by TotalEnergies, Qatar Energy, and ENI, reinforcing the energy dimension shaping the region’s shifting alliances.Â