Turkey, Libya may contract international firms to search for hydrocarbons in eastern Med

Turkey and Libya could work with international companies to search for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, following a deal between Ankara and the Tripoli-based government on maritime borders.

In November, Libya's internationally recognised government in Tripoli and Turkey clinched a deal on drilling for natural gas, in a step Ankara said aimed to defend its rights in the region.

(Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Gareth Jones)