Maritime Border Demarcation: Lebanon, Israel Agree On US Proposal

Lebanon and Israel on Tuesday approved the final version of a US proposal for the maritime border demarcation between the two countries.

The Lebanese presidency said it “considers the final version of this offer satisfactory to Lebanon, especially as it meets the Lebanese demands that have been the focus of a long debate during the past months and required effort and long hours of difficult and complex negotiations.”

It added: “The presidency believes that the final formula preserves Lebanon’s rights to its natural wealth, at an important time for the Lebanese.”

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said: “Lebanon and Israel have reached a historic agreement regarding the demarcation of the maritime borders,” adding that the Israeli Cabinet would meet Wednesday to ratify the agreement.

“The agreement will enhance Israel’s security, inject billions into the Israeli economy, and ensure the stability of our northern borders,” he said.

Lebanon’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab, who handled the negotiations with US mediator Amos Hochstein, said the agreement “will secure economic stability in the region.”

The amended draft agreement, which was verbally agreed upon, gives Lebanon the 860 sq. km area delineated by Line 23 — an issue that has been disputed for a decade — as well as revenues from the section that crosses Line 23 from the Qana field to Israel’s exclusive economic zone.

Lebanon has abandoned its demand to hold on to Line 29, which would have given it part of the Karish field, which is now entirely Israel’s.

As Lebanon and Israel approved the agreement, a top-level delegation from TotalEnergies, which will undertake exploration in Lebanese waters, arrived in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials.