Abu Dhabi, capitals (WAM, agencies)
The UAE welcomed the Lebanese Republic and the State of Israel that reached an agreement on the demarcation of maritime borders and appreciated the tireless mediation efforts undertaken by the United States of America between the two countries and expressed hope that this step contributes to strengthening the stability of the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation praised this agreement and the efforts that made it possible, underlining that it is a positive and practical step to advance the paths of prosperity and development and achieve the economic interests of both countries.
The ministry stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries to strengthen economic interests and consolidate regional peace and security.
After intense US-mediated negotiations, Israel and Lebanon reached a “historic agreement” to delimit their maritime borders and remove major obstacles to the exploitation of gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean, while US President Joe Biden said that the United States is on the side of Lebanon to achieve stability and allow it to strengthen its economy and benefit from its natural wealth.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said yesterday that his country and Lebanon have reached a “historic agreement” to delimit maritime borders.
Lapid added in a statement that “this historic agreement will strengthen Israel’s security, pour billions into the economy and ensure the stability of the northern border,” noting that a security cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
“The draft agreement meets all the security and economic principles established by Israel,” he added.
For its part, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement: The final, modified official version presented by the American mediator, Amos Hochstein, of the southern maritime border agreement meets Lebanese demands.
He said: “The final formula has preserved Lebanon’s rights over its natural wealth at an important time for the Lebanese.”
The statement adds that Lebanese President Michel Aoun expressed his thanks to the US mediator and the US administration for their efforts to achieve this formula, noting that he will conduct the necessary consultations on this national issue in preparation for an official announcement of the position.
Aoun also received a call from his American counterpart, Joe Biden, to congratulate him on completing maritime border demarcation negotiations.
The Lebanese presidency announced in a tweet that Biden congratulated Aoun during the call for the conclusion of the negotiations to delimit the southern maritime borders and assured him that “the United States is on the side of Lebanon to achieve stability and allow him to strengthen its economy and benefit from its natural resources ”.
In this context, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said: “The Lebanese unified position on the dossier and Lebanon’s adherence to its rights and demands have led to this positive result”, calling on Total to immediately explore Lebanese waters.
Mikati’s words came as he received from the vice president of parliament, Elias Bou Saab, a copy of the final draft of the agreement at the Grand Serail in downtown Beirut, according to a statement from his press office.
Mikati expressed his “hope that things will reach their conclusion and then take practical steps to explore the search for gas in Lebanese waters”.
Mikati and Energy Minister Walid Fayyad also met with a delegation from the French company Total.
In a statement to reporters, Fayyad said the demarcation agreement is a positive spirit that will allow Lebanon to move to another place that will put it on the map of the oil region.
He explained that the excavation work is a process that takes months and that Total will prepare the plan and Lebanon will confirm that it is a quick plan, the logistics will be prepared and the works will begin immediately.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab said the southern border demarcation project took full account of Lebanon’s comments.
In response to the question of whether the draft includes a return to the framework agreement and the signing will be in Naqoura, Bou Saab said: “I don’t call it an agreement, it’s an agreement with the Americans and we will deposit it, offer or message with the United Nations. The formula took into account Lebanon’s sensitivity and the negotiator found an American solution.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz praised the Lebanese presidency’s stance for its support for the text, which he described as “positive for both sides”.
Gantz criticized the “Hezbollah” militia, saying: “The party tried to undermine the negotiation process with its threats.”
Under the new agreement, the Karish camp will be entirely on the Israeli side, while the agreement guarantees Lebanon the Qana camp, which goes beyond the dividing line that separates the two sides.
US envoy Amos Hochstein presented a final version earlier this month which Israel accepted, but Lebanon requested some amendments.
