Lebanon has agreed to call on the United States to resume mediating indirect maritime border talks, after a ship arrived in disputed waters to produce gas for Israel
President Michel Aoun and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met yesterday and agreed to invite United States senior energy adviser and mediator Amos Hochstein to Beirut.
Member of Parliament Elias Bou Saab, President Aoun’s adviser on international cooperation, reportedly spoke to Hochstein following the meeting to plan a date for a visit.
The Israeli defence ministry said the dispute will be resolved through American mediation. Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic relations and are officially enemies.
A vessel operated by Energean arrived in disputed waters Sunday to produce gas for Israel, angering Lebanese officials.
Israeli authorities say the area, known as the Karish field, falls under its exclusive economic zone. Lebanon says part of the field falls within its claimed maritime territory under negotiation.
Source: ALJAZEERA