Israel and Lebanon agree 'historic' maritime border deal, US says

A finalised deal would allow the neighbours, which remain formally at war, to exploit natural gas fields under the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid said it would strengthen its security and inject billions into its economy.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun described the terms as "satisfactory".

The details of the agreement, which covers an 860 sq km (330 sq mile) triangle of the Mediterranean, have not been released.

But reports say the Karish gas field would fall under Israeli control, along with a small part of Qana, a prospective gas field.

The rest of Qana would be under Lebanon's control and it would pay royalties to Israel for any gas extracted from the Israeli side.

The White House said on Monday that President Joe Biden had congratulated the Israeli and Lebanese leaders on moving forward with the deal to establish a permanent maritime boundary.

"The agreement... will provide for the development of energy fields for the benefit of both countries, setting the stage for a more stable and prosperous region, and harnessing vital new energy resources for the world," Mr Biden said in a statement.

"It is now critical that all parties uphold their commitments and work towards implementation."

Prime Minister Lapid said: "This is a historic achievement that will strengthen Israel's security, inject billions into Israel's economy, and ensure the stability of our northern border."

He will convene Israel's security cabinet on Wednesday before the agreement is put before the government for approval. It will then be presented to parliament.

Production from the Karish gas field is part of Israel's plan to export gas to the European Union, as the bloc seeks alternatives to Russian energy.

Mr Lapid's Lebanese counterpart, Najib Mikati, said there was "full agreement on the English draft" and that he expected an announcement on Wednesday once President Aoun had reviewed the Arabic translation.

Lebanon is in dire economic trouble and hopes to find significant gas deposits in the Qana field, but production could be years away.

The leader of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that fought a war against Israel in 2006, said that if the president endorsed the deal "then for us... things are settled".

In July, after an Israeli-licensed production vessel was sent to float above Karish, Hezbollah flew three unarmed drones towards it. They were shot down by Israel, which warned that for any attack "the price will be Lebanon"

Comments

Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.

According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.

Fights break out as Kurds protest the French government's denial of a terrorist attack

Following the murder of three Kurds in what is being considered to be a probable racist incident , there have been widespread protests in Paris. The fact that the authorities did not view the attack at a Kurdish centre as a terrorist act has enraged the Kurdish diaspora in Paris. A 69-year-old man opened fire on a crowd of individuals early on Friday morning at the Ahmet-Kaya centre on Rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement. One of the three victims is badly injured. All of the dead were Kurdish community members who passed away both inside and outside the cultural centre. Agit Polat, a spokesman for the Kurdish centre, charged that French officials "yet again failed to safeguard us... This is a terrorist attack in our eyes, according to the AFP news agency. In the afternoon, a number of protestors, largely from the Kurdish diaspora, got into a fight with the police outside the centre and in the streets close by, throwing rocks and torching trash cans. Police use...

Verbal spat between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel judicial overhaul

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, turned down United States President Joe Biden’s suggestion that the Israeli government “walks away” from a plan to overhaul the country’s legal system. A verbal spat between the two close allies took place on Wednesday. The US President and Israeli Prime Minister exchanged a few words on judicial changes in Israel. On Tuesday, reporters asked Joe Biden about Israel’s judicial overhaul planned reforms. Biden reportedly said, “I hope he (Netanyahu) walks away from it.” He said that the Israeli government “cannot continue down this road” and urged compromise on this plan to overhaul the country’s legal system. Subsequently, the Israeli PM said that his country makes its own decisions. He reportedly said in a statement, “Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.” Netanyahu’s latest comments came a day after he de...

Newsaholic

Search This Blog