Lebanon, Israel announce US-mediated talks over sea border

Leban and Israel have reached an agreement on a framework of indirect, US-mediated talks over a longstanding disputed maritime border between two countries, parties anunced Thursday. talks will be held at hequarters of UN peacekeeping force in sourn Lebanese border town of Naqoura under banner of United Nations.

talks are expected to begin on October 14, according to US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker, top US diplomat for Middle East. agreement “will allow both countries to begin discussions, which have potential to yield greater stability, security, and prosperity for Lebanese and Israeli citizens alike,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

He ded that agreement is result of nearly three years of intense diplomatic engment by US officials. An Israeli official said last week that a deal h been reached, but re was immediate Lebanese or US confirmation at time. official said Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz will le Israeli delegation.

“We are hoping to start direct negotiations in near future. Our presumptive goal is to arrive at a peaceful resolution on matter of Exclusive Ecomic Zone bordering between Israel and Leban in a way that benefits both neighbouring nations," Steinitz said in a statement.

Israel and Leban have diplomatic relations and are technically in a state of war. y each claim about 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of Mediterranean Sea as within ir own exclusive ecomic zones. Indirect talks mean that Lebanese army negotiators will t be speaking directly to members of Israeli delegation but through U.N. and US officials. Schenker said he will le US mediation team for at least first round. He would t specify exactly who would be representing Israelis or Lebanese ding that talks are strictly about maritime issues and delineating a border.

UN peacekeeping force in sourn Leban, kwn as UNIFIL, welcomed agreement saying it stands rey “to extend to parties all support at its disposal and facilitate efforts towards a resolution.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed anuncement of agreement to launch talks, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

“ United Nations, through its representatives, will remain fully committed to supporting process as requested by parties and within its capacity and mandate,” Dujarric said.

United States has been mediating between Leban and Israel since 2010 until a breakthrough was reached in July on framework for indirect talks, according to Leban's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who anunced deal Thursday. He said US mediation stalled but it received a push in March last year during a visit to Beirut by Pompeo during which he discussed dispute with Lebanese officials.

Leban's President Michel Aoun welcomed agreement saying he hopes "that American side will continue its role as a fair mediator.” Aoun said he will be closely supervising talks starting with formation of team and throughout negotiations.

Leban and Israel hold monthly tripartite indirect meetings in Naqoura to discuss violations along ir border. countries also held indirect negotiations in 1990s when Arab states and Israel were working on reaching peace agreements. Although Palestinians and Jordan signed agreements with Israel, Leban and Syria did t. agreement on framework comes as Leban is going through its worst ecomic and financial crisis in deces.

Beirut is hoping that oil and natural gas discoveries in its territorial waters will help it pay back its massive debt. Leban began offshore drilling earlier this year and is expected to start drilling for gas in disputed area with Israel before in coming months. Berri, parliament speaker, said gas discoveries on Israeli side of Mediterranean “prove that re are reserves and God willing this will help us pay our debt.” Leban has one of highest debt ratios in world standing at about 170 per cent of its GDP. Three of Leban's 10 offshore blocks are along disputed maritime border with Israel.

Trump ministration is likely to celebrate agreement as ar diplomatic breakthrough in Middle East, following recent agreements in which United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — Gulf countries that have never gone to war with Israel — agreed to recognize it and establish diplomatic relations.

Schenker, US diplomat, said talks have thing to do with establishment of diplomatic relations or rmalisation between Leban and Israel. He ded that "y will hopefully come to a resolution that will allow both sides to benefit from resources re.”

(Im Credits: AP)

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