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Al Ain News
Thursday 10/1/2020 4:08 PM Abu Dhabi time
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed on Thursday that his country agreed on a framework for negotiations with Israel on the demarcation of land and maritime borders.
Berri added, in remarks during a press conference, that “the Lebanese army will lead the talks.”
He noted that “the meetings will be held at a United Nations base near the border in southern Lebanon under the auspices of the United Nations.”
He noted that “representatives of the United States and the United Nations coordinator for Lebanon will participate in the meetings.”
The president of the Lebanese parliament clarified that “Lebanon and Israel have asked the United States to be a mediator in border demarcation.”
He stressed that “once an agreement is reached, it will be signed by Lebanon, Israel and the United Nations Force, UNIFIL.”
He stated that “the framework agreement stipulates that the United States will make efforts to create a positive atmosphere for the success of the talks as soon as possible.”
Berri noted that “the agreement was concluded before the imposition of US sanctions on the Lebanese ministers, including one of his aides.”
He added that he asked French President Macron to pressure Total not to delay offshore gas exploration.
In turn, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said in a statement that “Israel and Lebanon will hold talks with the US mediation on maritime borders.”
The issue of common maritime boundaries is a thorny one, especially given the ongoing dispute over coastal exploration rights.
In February 2018, Lebanon signed its first offshore oil and gas exploration contract in two blocks in the Mediterranean with a consortium that includes “Total”, “Eni” and “Novatek”.
In April, Beirut announced that initial drilling in Block Four had shown the presence of gas but not in commercially viable quantities.
The exploration of Block Nine, which includes a part in dispute with Israel, has not yet begun.
In 2019, the Israeli government announced that it had agreed to hold talks with Lebanon, mediated by the United States, to resolve the dispute over the maritime borders.
