BEIRUT, Jul 19 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, yesterday called on the United States, to activate its mediation, in the indirect border demarcation negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
“It is not acceptable to delay the process of demarcating the southern maritime borders,” Aoun was quoted as saying in a statement, released by Lebanon’s Presidency.
Aoun stressed the need to activate the American mediation, carried out by U.S. Energy Envoy, Amos Hochstein, to reach a quick conclusion, which he believed would “enable Lebanon to benefit from oil and gas in its water, while maintaining stability on its borders.”
Aoun made the remarks during his meeting with President and CEO of the American Task Force on Lebanon, Edward Gabriel, to discuss the latest political and economic affairs in the country.
Lebanon and Israel are embroiled in a maritime border dispute, that has intensified after Israel sent a vessel operated by Energean, a London-based oil and gas production company, to the Karish field on Jun 5.
Lebanese authorities are currently seeking to revive indirect talks with Israel, on maritime border demarcation, which were halted after Lebanon expanded its claim in territorial waters to include at least a part of the Karish oil field.
