Lebanese President, PM discuss maritime border demarcation
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On the eve of the arrival of the American negotiator Amos Hochstein in Beirut, the Lebanese President discusses with the Prime Minister the demarcating of the maritime borders to move negotiations forward.
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Lebanese ministers discuss the demarcation of the maritime border
On Saturday, the Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the Prime Minister Najib Mikati discussed the demarcation of the maritime borders with the Israeli occupation to move negotiations forward.
A vessel operated by the London-based Energean arrived to develop a gas field known as Karish, which Lebanon says lies within a contested area.
The contested area is at the epicenter of the issue, and it drove Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to urge the Israeli occupation to take its equipment out of the Mediterranean Sea "swiftly and immediately", warning against the repercussions that would stem from any violations of Lebanon's territorial integrity.
A statement issued by the Lebanese presidency said that Aoun received Mikati in the capital, Beirut, and discussed with him the general situation and recent developments in the country.
According to the statement, during the meeting, the Lebanese position on the issue of demarcating the southern maritime border was presented on the eve of the visit of the American mediator Amos Hochstein to Beirut, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
On June 9, the Lebanese President stated that Lebanon would request that the American mediation re-activate the indirect negotiations with the Israeli occupation regarding the demarcation of the maritime borders.
Days ago, Lebanon's Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab told Al Mayadeen that Beirut has a strong position in the negotiations to demarcate the maritime borders.
Bou Saab further added that Lebanon is negotiating from a strong, unified position, clarifying that there are some reservations with regard to the US negotiator's plan. Beirut is keen on abiding by these reservations without forfeiting any of Lebanon's rights.
He also considered that it is only natural that "Israel" would seek to use diplomacy to tackle this issue, because Lebanon is in a position of strength, further commenting that it is hoped that Lebanon would reach a position where it can begin exploring and producing oil and gas, but without compromising any of its rights.
Israeli media said on Wednesday that the Karish rig would not pump oil out of the contested area with Lebanon.
