Lebanese Energy Minister denies receiving any Turkish proposal on gas
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After information about Lebanon receiving a Turkish offer to explore for gas in the border area, Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayyad denies this.
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Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayad
Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayad denied today, Tuesday, that Lebanon had received "any official and unofficial proposal from Turkey" regarding exploration in the offshore blocks on the border with occupied Palestine.
In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Fayad explained that when he was in Turkey, no one approached him about the issue, noting that "Block No. 9 is awarded to the consortium of Total."
This comes after a Lebanese official source told Sputnik, earlier today, that Lebanon had received a Turkish proposal to invest and drill in the oil and gas blocks on the southern border with occupied Palestine.
According to the source, the Turkish proposal "shows a serious will to explore, drill, and invest in Block No. 9 and along the southern maritime border with 'Israel'."
The source also pointed out that "European companies working in the field of exploration in Lebanon (particularly the French Total) were confused by the Turkish offer, which means that they could take the initiative to accelerate exploration operations in Blocks 4 and 9."
Yesterday, during a lengthy phone call with US mediator Amos Hochstein, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Bou Saab stressed the importance of working within acceptable deadlines due to the time pressure factor.
“Hochstein briefed Bou Saab on the outcome of the latest contacts that he held with Israeli officials, the last of which took place a few days ago, stressing to him that he will continue his communication with the Israeli officials in the coming days,” Bou Saab’s press office said in a statement.
A Lebanese official source confirmed on Saturday that Lebanon and "Israel" are close to reaching an agreement on the demarcation of the maritime borders.
It is noteworthy that the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stressed on Monday that the Israeli threats are worthless, adding that Hezbollah's decision and approach are clear and "we are waiting for the coming days to act accordingly."
On Friday, Nasrallah said, "If Lebanon does not obtain the rights demanded by the Lebanese state, we are heading toward an escalation whether or not the nuclear agreement is signed."
Earlier, Sayyed Nasrallah vowed that "if Lebanon is prevented from saving itself by extracting its gas and oil, no one will be able to extract or sell gas and oil, regardless of the consequences."
