Israel and Lebanon They reached a “historic” agreement on the maritime border on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has confirmed that he has resolved a longstanding dispute over gas-rich waters in the Mediterranean.
“This is a historic achievement, will strengthen Israel’s security, “It will inject billions of dollars into the Israeli economy and stabilize our northern border,” he said.All economic and security principles set by Israel.
Lapid said that he convened the Security Cabinet for tomorrow and then a special meeting of the government with all the ministers, give final approval to the draft.
A few days ago, the Israeli Prime Minister presented to the Security Cabinet the “bases” of the proposal drawn up by US mediator Amos Hochstein. Lebanon’s recent change proposals were rejected, This came very close to derailing the negotiations.
To save negotiations, Over the weekend there was an “intense dialogue” between the two negotiating teams until, through Hochstein, a draft was reached that was accepted by both sides.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said for himself: final draft submitted “satisfactory”It “protects Lebanon’s natural wealth rights” at a time when Lebanon is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in its history and lacks even the energy resources to provide electricity to its people.
“The President considers the final version of this proposal satisfactory for Lebanon, especiallyIt meets the demands of Lebanon, which has been discussed for a long time in recent months, “It took effort and long hours of difficult and complex negotiations,” the Mediterranean country’s Presidency said in a statement.
aun taken A copy of the draft agreement, during his meeting with the Lebanese representative in the dialogue and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab.
agreement seeks to end a long-standing dispute over nearly 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) The Mediterranean, which includes the Karish and Qana gas fields, so Israel will begin to exploit the first and Lebanon the second.