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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed his country’s willingness to support a constructive dialogue between Israel and Lebanon on the delimitation of maritime borders. He called on the Israeli and Lebanese parties to continue talks on the demarcation of the borders.
The United States Department of State clarified that the positions of the two parties with respect to the record are divergent. “Earlier this year, the Israeli and Lebanese governments requested the assistance of the United States in negotiating an agreement on their maritime borders. Such an agreement would provide potentially significant economic benefits to the peoples of the two countries. Unfortunately, goodwill notwithstanding on both sides, the parties remain. ” The United States is still ready to mediate constructive discussions and urges both parties to negotiate on the basis of their respective maritime claims, which were previously deposited with the United Nations. “
The talks that were scheduled between Lebanon and Israel about a month ago, mediated by the United States, were postponed until further notice.
Israel and Lebanon began negotiations in October, with delegations from the two countries meeting at a United Nations base to try to resolve a dispute over their maritime borders, which has hampered oil and gas exploration in the potentially rich region. gas.
A Lebanese source said that the US mediators who informed the Lebanese side of the delay would maintain bilateral contacts with the two sides. An Israeli official confirmed the delay, but said he could not provide any details.
Israel had accused Lebanon of changing its stance on the demarcation of maritime borders between the two countries in the Mediterranean, warning of the possibility that the talks could reach a “dead end” and obstruct oil exploration projects at sea. .
