Libya's interim Government of National Unity (GNU) announced the tranfer of an area from ​​the Al-Khoms naval base to expand Al-Khoms sea port.

The area estimated at 4.7 hectares will be used to construct an 11th and 12th berth at the port.

This came during an agreement signed by Transport Minister Mohammed Al-Shahoubi and GNU Chief of General Staff General Mohammed Al-Haddad, in the presence of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba.

A statement from the government quoted Dabaiba denying recent news circulating about the leasing of Al-Khoms sea port to a foreign country, stressing that "the government will not waste an inch of Libyan land."

Last Thursday, the GNU denied leasing Al-Khoms sea port after reports they agreed to a 99 year lease with Turkey for its use as a military base.

Residents of Al-Khoms organized protests against turning the port into a military base, while the House of Representatives described a potential lease to Turkey as "illegal, and may not continue".