Lebanon and Israel await the start of border negotiations

Beirut: Lebanon and Israel announced Thursday that they had reached an understanding to begin negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations over their disputed maritime borders, in what Washington described as “historic” between the two countries, which are considered to be at war.

The US Undersecretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs David Schenker indicated that these talks would begin in the week of October 12.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said at a press conference: “With regard to the issue of maritime borders, meetings will be held continuously at the United Nations headquarters in Naqoura under the banner” of the International Organization.

He explained that “the meetings (will be held) under the auspices of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Affairs.

He added: “The two sides, Israel and Lebanon, have asked the United States to act as a mediator and facilitator to demarcate the maritime borders, and it is ready for that.”

And US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that this agreement was “the fruit of tireless diplomatic efforts that lasted nearly three years.”

The speaker of the Lebanese parliament did not indicate the start date of the talks.

For its part, Israel said the talks will be “direct” and will begin after the “Sukkot” holiday ends on October 10, according to a statement issued by the office of Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz.

But the advisor to the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Ali Hamdan, made it clear that the two teams would sit “in the same room, but there will be no direct communication between them, but through the international team, so I say it is not direct” .

In 2018, Lebanon signed its first offshore oil and gas exploration contract in blocks 4 and 9 with a consortium that includes “Total”, “Eni” and “Novatek”.

Part of Square 9 is the subject of a dispute between Lebanon and Israel.

In turn, the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gabi Ashkenazi, thanked his US counterpart “Mike Pompeo and his team for their dedicated efforts that led to the initiation of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.”

On Thursday, Schenker said the land border would be the subject of separate discussions. He said: “We welcome (…) the new measures taken by the two sides to resume discussions at the expert level on the trouble spots” related to the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel “with the aim of reaching an agreement on this issue. ” The US official stressed that this matter is related to “a separate split and … discussions to be held between the Israelis, the Lebanese and UNIFIL”, referring to the UN forces.

For his part, the representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Jan Kubis, confirmed that “discussions will be held on the demarcation of maritime borders”, noting that “a separate series of talks on the Blue Line will also take place. “.

Later, in a statement, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, welcomed the agreement to begin negotiations on “the demarcation of the land and maritime borders between Lebanon and Israel, which will be welcomed by the United Nations at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura “.

In his statement, the United Nations Secretary General referred to the “continued diplomatic efforts (made by) the United States to facilitate” the achievement of this agreement, highlighting the determination of the United Nations Mission “to support the process. requested by the parties and within the framework of their capacity and mandate “.

In May 2019, the Israeli government announced that it had agreed to initiate talks with Lebanon under the auspices of the United States to resolve the border dispute.

US officials traveled between the two countries about a decade ago in an attempt to pave the way for a border demarcation procedure.

On September 8, Schenker indicated “progress” regarding the start of the talks, expressing his hope “to return to Lebanon and sign this agreement in the coming weeks.”

In addition to the dispute over an area that extends to some 860 square kilometers, the talks will also address “land borders based on the Blue Line.”

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) welcomed the understanding and stressed its willingness to “provide all possible support to the parties and facilitate efforts to resolve this issue.”

A solution to the conflict is vital for Lebanon, which has suffered the worst economic crisis in decades.

The Lebanese expert, Laurie Haitayan, said that “the demarcation of the (maritime) borders is necessary because it will facilitate the work in Plaza 9 and will awaken the interest of international companies with respect to Block 8, more than half of which is located in the disputed area. “

And Lebanon, which has not paid the fees owed since March, is interested in exploration work, especially since the first works on Block 4 showed traces of gas, but in an amount insufficient for commercial exploitation.

The Lebanese authorities have high hopes for the possible discoveries that will again contribute to the economic recovery.

Bach / mr / r k-pl