Biden welcomed the maritime border agreement with Lebanon: "prepares the ground for stabilizing the region"

The President of the United States said that he is "proud to congratulate Israel and Lebanon on their agreement to resolve the long-standing maritime border dispute between them".

According to him, "the United States will continue to serve as an facilitator as the parties work to fulfill their obligations and implement this agreement"

Barak Ravid

27/10/2022

Thursday, October 27, 2022, 4:06 p.m. Updated: 4:28 p.m.

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On video: The Lebanese president signed the maritime border agreement, the government meets to approve it (Paul)

President of the United States Joe Biden today (Thursday) welcomed the maritime border agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon.

According to him, the agreement prepares the ground for the stabilization and prosperity of the region.

"I am proud to congratulate Israel and Lebanon on their agreement to resolve the long-standing maritime border dispute between them," he said.

"Today in Nakoura, Lebanon, the parties took the final steps to put the agreement into effect - and submitted the final paperwork to the United Nations with the participation of the United States.

" More," he added. "The United States will continue to serve as a facilitator as the parties work to fulfill their commitments and implement this agreement.

Energy - especially in the Eastern Mediterranean - should not be a cause of conflict, but a tool for cooperation, stability, security and prosperity.

This agreement brings us one step closer to realizing a vision for a safer, more integrated and more prosperous Middle East,

Lapid with Biden during his visit to Israel, in July (Photo: Government Press Office, Amos Ben Gershom)

The government approved the maritime border agreement with Lebanon today.

This, after Lebanese President Michel Aoun signed the official letter, in which Lebanon informs the United States that it accepts the maritime border agreement with Israel.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid also signed the agreement.

The government ministers were informed during the meeting that the American guarantee letter to Israel is not yet ready.

It is expected to be ready later today, according to two ministers who participated in the meeting.

According to them, it was made clear to the ministers that the guarantee letter will not be published to the public because it is confidential.

The ministers noted that the memorandum of understanding with the French company "Total" was signed only half an hour before the start of the cabinet meeting.

The memorandum of understanding defines the business side of the agreement and the principles according to which Israel will receive compensation for the potential profits of the gas in the disputed area.

During the cabinet meeting, the ministers were informed that those who are interested can review the memorandum of understanding at the government secretariat and it will not be distributed at this stage.

At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, Lapid defined the agreement as "a great achievement for the State of Israel, and an achievement for the government of Israel."

He explained, "This is an agreement that strengthens and fortifies Israel's security and our freedom of action in the face of Hezbollah and the threats from the north. There is a rare consensus in all the security systems on the importance of the agreement. Defense Minister Benny Gantz, the IDF, Mossad, the Shin Bet and the MLA, all We both sign the move and its contribution to Israel's security and our operational needs."

Lapid went on to explain that this is a political achievement: "It's not every day that an enemy state recognizes the State of Israel, in a written agreement, in front of the entire international community.

It's not every day that the United States and France stand behind us and provide security and economic guarantees for the agreement." He noted that this is also an economic achievement. "Yesterday, production began from the Shark reservoir.

Israel will receive 17% of the profits of the Hana-Sidon reservoir, the Lebanese reservoir, which will bring money into the state economy that will be used for welfare and health, education and security."

More in Walla!

The government approved the agreement with Lebanon: "It's not every day that an enemy country recognizes the State of Israel"

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