Report: Lebanon opposes parts of the naval agreement that give Israel gains

Lebanese media reports that today Lebanon will forward comments to the US regarding the draft agreement on the maritime border. Chief among them is opposition to two critical points for Israel: granting a veto to gas exploration in the disputed area and recognizing the "Line of Lines" as an international border. The Lebanese are opposed to holding a joint signing ceremony on the agreement

Barak Ravid

04/10/2022

Tuesday, 04 October 2022, 09:30 Updated: 09:39

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on Twitter

• Share by email

• Share in general

• Comments

  Comments

On video: Netanyahu on the emerging agreement with Lebanon: "Illegal - a danger to Israel" (Contact)

Today (Tuesday) Lebanon will deliver to the American envoy Amos Hochstein a series of comments regarding the draft agreement on the maritime border, primarily opposition to the clause in the agreement that gives Israel a "veto" on the start of gas exploration in the disputed area and opposition to the recognition of the "Line of Lines" as an international border, according to reports in several media outlets. Communication in Lebanon.

why is it important

If the reports are accurate and these are indeed the Lebanese comments on the draft, then they significantly reduce the chance of reaching an agreement in the coming days.

The Lebanese comments concern two Israeli demands in the agreement that were defined as a "red line" - guaranteeing security interests and guaranteeing the Israeli share of the potential profits.

in the news center

• According to reports in the Lebanese media, President Michel Evan, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of the Parliament Navia Beri held consultations yesterday (Monday), at the end of which they formulated a series of comments for the draft agreement. The comments are expected to be delivered today to the American envoy Amos Hochstein.

• According to the newspaper "Al-Ahbar", which is affiliated with Hezbollah, Lebanon refuses the clause in the agreement which states that the "line of buoys" that Israel unilaterally placed in the sea in the area of ​​Rosh Hankara will become a recognized international border between it and Israel.

• According to the report, Lebanon will clarify in its comments on the draft that it will not agree to give up territory to create a security zone for Israel in the sea.

  A similar report was also published in the "Al-Diyar" newspaper.

• Al-Ahbar also reported that Lebanon opposes the link made in the agreement between the start of gas exploration by the French company "Total" and the reaching of an agreement between the company and Israel regarding the financial compensation that Israel will receive if gas is found in the Kaana reservoir.

• In the report, it is claimed that Lebanon demands that the company undertake to begin gas exploration separately from any ongoing negotiations between it and Israel. Lebanon demands that "Total" announce the start of gas exploration at the same time as the start of gas production in the "Sharish" field.

More in Walla!

Netanyahu on the agreement with Lebanon: "illegal", Lapid: "understands his frustration - he did not succeed"

To the full article

More in Walla!

• The former Director General of the Ministry of Energy: "The agreement being formed with Lebanon - in line with the position of the professional ranks"

• Senior Lebanese official: We will ask to amend the draft maritime agreement, we will not pay compensation to Israel

• Does B-Cure Laser really help with pain?

  It's the truth

Is the agreement moving away?

The "Shark" gas rig (photo: official website, courtesy of Energian)

• The Lebanese newspaper "Al-Diyar" published a similar report according to which Lebanon opposes the statement in the agreement that Israel has rights in the reservoir as part of it is in the disputed area and part is south of the disputed area within Israeli economic waters.

• According to the report, Lebanon claims in the comments it will forward to the American mediator that according to the draft agreement the issue of the Israeli part of the Kaana gas reservoir will be decided between Israel and the "Total" company without the Lebanese government having any influence on it.

• According to "Al-Diyar" the Lebanese claim in the comments they will deliver to the American envoy that they fear that the gas explorations of the "Total" company may be delayed if an agreement is not reached between the company and Israel as happened in the negotiations between Israel and Cyprus on the distribution of the profits from the joint "Aphrodite" field in -2013.

• So Israel demanded to receive a higher percentage of the profits and due to this the gas production there was delayed.

  The Lebanese demand American guarantees that such a thing will not happen in the case of the Kaana gas reservoir.

• In addition, Lebanon does not agree to hold an official signing ceremony for the agreement at the UN base in Nakura on the border between Israel and Lebanon as Israel and Lebanon want.

• Lebanon demands that she sign a letter that the head of her professional negotiating team will deliver to the UN representative in the presence of the American mediator.

  The Lebanese demand that this happen separately from the Israeli delegation and not in the same room.

• The Lebanese demand that Israel deliver a similar letter to the UN in a separate meeting and in a separate room. According to the Lebanese demand, only after carrying out this process will the US announce that an agreement has been reached.

• news

• Political-political

• Foreign relations

Tags

• Lebanon

• United States

• The gas rig