Lebanon-Israel demarcation talks ‘in final stages': Aoun

BEIRUT, Lebanon

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Monday border demarcation talks with Israel over Lebanon's southern borders are in "their final stages.”

Aoun met with UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, in the Baabda Palace in the capital Beirut.

He said the ongoing talks are about technical details related to the demarcation process "to guarantee Lebanon's rights to explore for gas and oil in the specified fields in the exclusive economic zone," the Lebanese Presidency said in a statement.

Aoun said communication with US mediator Amos Hochstein is ongoing to address the technical details of the demarcation process.

He voiced hope that the exploration for oil and fuel "would contribute to the revival of the Lebanese economy", which is witnessing severe deterioration.

Last week, Israeli public broadcaster KAN said, citing an Israeli official, that Tel Aviv has “especially cautious optimism” that a deal can be reached with Lebanon on their disputed maritime border.

Lebanon and Israel are locked in a dispute over a maritime area of 860 square kilometers (332 square miles), according to maps sent by both countries to the UN in 2011.

The area is rich in natural gas and oil. Starting in 2020, five sessions of indirect negotiations have been held on the issue under UN sponsorship and US mediation, with the latest round held in May 2021.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar