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Jerusalem (AFP)
On Friday, Israel accused Lebanon of changing its stance on the demarcation of maritime borders between the two Mediterranean countries, warning that the talks would reach a “dead end” and obstruct oil exploration projects at sea.
Lebanon and Israel, which are officially at war, concluded a third round of negotiations last week under the auspices of the United States and the United Nations, and decided to hold a fourth round in early December.
“Lebanon has changed its position on its maritime border with Israel seven times,” Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said in a tweet.
He added: “His current position not only contradicts his previous positions, but also contradicts Lebanon’s position on the maritime borders with Syria, which takes into account the Lebanese islands close to the border.”
He added: “Whoever wants prosperity in our region and seeks to develop natural resources safely must adhere to the principle of stability and resolve the dispute on the basis of what Israel and Lebanon have deposited with the United Nations,” emphasizing that ” Any deviation from that will lead to a dead end and betrayal of the aspirations of the peoples of the region. “
Lebanese President Michel Aoun wrote in a tweet on the presidential Twitter account that he confirmed during his meeting with the commander of the international forces operating in the south (UNIFIL) that “the demarcation of maritime borders is carried out on the basis of the line that departs by land from the Ras Naqoura point, based on the general principle known as the median line. Not counting any impact on the occupied Palestinian coastal islands. “
The negotiations mainly concern a marine area covering some 860 square kilometers, according to a map sent in 2011 to the United Nations. However, Lebanon subsequently considered that it was based on erroneous estimates.
During the negotiation sessions, Lebanon will demand an additional area of 1,430 square kilometers that includes part of the Karish field in which the Greek company Energian operates, Laurie Haitian, director of the Institute for the Governance of Natural Resources in the Middle East, told AFP. North Africa.
“Today we have entered the map war phase,” Haitian added.
In 2018, Lebanon signed the first contract to explore for gas and oil in two areas of its territorial waters, one of which, known as Block No. 9, is located in the disputed part with Israel. Consequently, Lebanon has no option to operate in this territory except after the borders are demarcated.
Lebanon and Israel have agreed to negotiate directly after years of quiet American diplomacy. The first two rounds of talks were held on the border with Lebanon in October and the third round earlier this month.
© 2020 AFP
