BEIRUT, Sept. 19, 2022 (Xinhua) Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Monday that indirect negotiations to demarcate the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel “are in their final stages.”
This came according to a statement issued by the Lebanese presidency during Aoun’s meeting with the United Nations Special Coordinator in Lebanon Joanna Frontka.
Aoun pointed out that “negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime borders are in their final stages, in a way that guarantees Lebanon’s rights to explore for gas and oil in the specified fields in its exclusive economic zone.”
He pointed out that “communication with the American mediator in the demarcation negotiations, Amos Hochstein, is continuing on some technical details related to the demarcation process.”
Aoun expressed his hope that “exploring in Lebanese waters will contribute to the revival of the Lebanese economy, which has witnessed a significant decline during the past years, as well as enhancing security and stability in the south.”
And the American mediator Hochstein is shuttling between the two countries to reach a settlement over their dispute over a marine area believed to contain quantities of gas and oil.
Hochstein visited Lebanon on September 9 and, after meetings with Lebanese officials, expressed his optimism that an agreement would be reached.
Tensions escalated recently after Israel sent a gas platform on June 5 to the Karish field, which it says is located in its economic zone, while Lebanon says it is located in a disputed area, which led to mutual threats between Israel and Hezbollah. .