Lebanese President Michel Aoun claimed Monday that negotiations with Israel and the United States on maritime rights in the Mediterranean Sea are in the “final stages.”
He said the talks have been positive and conducted in a “manner that guarantees Lebanon’s rights to gas and oil exploration in the specified fields in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” Aoun stressed that a deal would help revive Lebanon’s stagnant economy and strengthen regional security and stability.
Israel thanks the American mediator @AmosHochstein for his efforts to bring about an agreement.
— Keren Hajioff (@kerenhajioff) September 19, 2022
The production of gas from the Karish rig is not connected to these negotiations. The production of gas from the rig will commence without delay, as soon as it is possible.
Similarly, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid in a statement on Monday thanked American mediator Amos Hochstein for his “hard work” in reaching an agreement with Lebanon.
The spokesperson said it is “both possible and necessary to reach an agreement on a maritime line between Lebanon and Israel,” noting that a deal would “serve the interests of the citizens of both countries” and also “strengthen” regional stability.
Lebanon's point-person for maritime talks with Israel is in the U.S. & set to meet with U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein to work out a few remaining disagreements related to the maritime deal.
— Timour Azhari (@timourazhari) September 19, 2022
"It's diplomacy racing against tensions," a source said.https://t.co/yiKtEyWdMm
However, the statement asserted that regardless of whether a deal is reached, “the production of gas from the rig will commence without delay, as soon as it is possible.”
Hochstein has been leading the US mediation efforts and has visited Lebanon several times since June following an escalation of tensions between Lebanon and Israel over Israeli drilling in the Karish natural gas field, which falls under the extended area claimed by Lebanon.
Welcome news that Israel 🇮🇱 and Lebanon 🇱🇧 are close to signing an agreement on the maritime borders and offshore gas fields. Great job by @amoshochstein and the teams on both sides. pic.twitter.com/Gd4Oc243qI
— Avi Kaner ابراهيم אבי (@AviKaner) September 14, 2022
Israel and Lebanon have long been at loggerheads regarding claims over coastal drilling and exploration rights in the Mediterranean Sea. While both sides started negotiations brokered by the United States and the United Nations in 2011 that focussed on around 860 square kilometres, Lebanon claimed an additional area of 1,430 square kilometres in 2020.
In June, Lebanon condemned the arrival of the Greek floating gas production rig Energean Power in Israel to commence operations at Karish. President Aoun warned Israel that any action or activity in the disputed area constitutes a “provocation” and a “hostile act.”
🇱🇧⛽️🇮🇱 Lebanon's FM said #Lebonon-#Israel maritime deal is 95% complete
— Prof. Michael Tanchum (@michaeltanchum) September 11, 2022
➡️Deal would change the #EastMed
➡️It looks like a Karish for Qana trade (Map👇)
➡️Push to close deal before 🇱🇧's Pres. Aoun leaves,
🇮🇱's November elections, and 🇺🇸 mid-term election season#ONGT pic.twitter.com/9ZAHJGrCTG
In 2014, Israel granted Energean a license to operate Karish till 2044. Karish, Hebrew for shark, is estimated to contain 1.4 trillion cubic feet of proven and probable gas reserves.
Lebanese militia group Hezbollah has also warned Israel against drilling in Karish. In May, the group launched three armed drones toward the gas field and warned that it would continue to attack Karish unless Israel halted drilling. A month later, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said that while the group prefers a diplomatic solution to the dispute, it would not hesitate to attack Karish if Israel continued drilling.