Lebanon and Israel restart talks over maritime borders

Lebanon and Israel resumed US-mediated negotiations yesterday over the demarcation of disputed maritime borders, seven months after talks came to a halt.

The talks are taking place in the Lebanese border town of Naqoura.

The first round of talks began in October but negotiations stalled after the Lebanese delegation expanded claims over disputed maritime areas.

The resumption of talks, which the US described as “a positive step towards a long-awaited resolution” comes two weeks after Lebanon took a step closer to officially expanding its provisional marine boundaries.

This move, which Israel said would derail talks, was endorsed by Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab but halted by President Michel Aoun.

Mr Aoun said any amendments to the country’s exclusive economic zone must first be approved by the government, leaving the door open for negotiations to resume this week.

The draft decree endorsed by Mr Diab expands the area claimed by Lebanon from 860 square kilometres, based on a map the government sent to the UN in 2011, to 2,290 square kilometres.

Mr Aoun met the country’s caretaker defence minister yesterday to discuss the resumption of talks.

He previously said negotiations reflected Lebanon’s eagerness to seek “positive outcomes that will maintain stability and safety in the southern region”.

Mr Aoun instructed the Lebanese negotiating team on Monday to seek the “rectification of borders in accordance with international laws and regulations, as well as Lebanon’s right to tap natural resources in its exclusive economic zone”.

The dispute over marine boundaries delayed hydrocarbon exploration in an area that could hold significant gas reserves.