Lebanon, Israel Banking on US Intervention to Resolve Border Disputes

A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)
A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)
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Lebanon, Israel Banking on US Intervention to Resolve Border Disputes

A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)
A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stands on United Nation's post in Houla village near the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon, Aug. 26, 2020. (Reuters)

Disputes have emerged between Lebanon and Israel over the demarcation of their shared marine border. The pair had met on Wednesday for the fourth round of their indirect talks on the demarcation of the potentially gas-rich area.

The talks were described as “tense” after Israel made a “provocative” new proposal that takes more of Lebanese marine waters, revealed Lebanese sources closely informed on the negotiations.

Both sides met in the Ras Naqoura, the southwestern-most point in Lebanon. The talks are being sponsored by the United Nations and mediated by the United States.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s latest proposal “was not based on any legal ground.” Lebanon, meanwhile, had presented valid documents, maps and legal, topographic, historic and geographic evidence to back its border claims during the second round of talks.

This evidence backs its claim over 2,290 square kilometers south of the border line claimed by Israel. This line was approved during a truce between Lebanon and Israel in 1949.

The Israeli side responded to this proposal on Wednesday by submitting new maps that eat away at large chunks of Lebanese territorial waters. They do acknowledge Lebanon’s claim over parts of the Karish gas field.

The sources revealed that Israel’s new proposal takes parts of the offshore blocs 5, 9 and 10.

“The fourth round of talks were tense because Lebanon is basing its claims on the Law of the Sea, while Israel is not basing its claims on any legal grounds,” said the sources, refusing to delve into any more details into the discussions.

“It is natural for tensions to emerge, but the Lebanese delegation is holding its ground and is completely committed to its rights by adhering to international law,” they added.

Both sides are banking on the American mediator to facilitate the talks and smooth over any disputes.

The next round of talks will be held in December, a joint statement from the United States and the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon said, as did Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in a separate communique.

Israel already pumps gas from huge offshore fields but Lebanon, which has yet to find commercial gas reserves in its own waters, is desperate for cash from foreign donors as it faces the worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.



Lebanese Govt. to Seek New IMF Program, Policy Statement Says

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo
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Lebanese Govt. to Seek New IMF Program, Policy Statement Says

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas//File Photo

Lebanon's new government will negotiate with the International Monetary Fund for a new program and will work to deal with the country's financial default and public debt, according to a policy statement approved by the cabinet late on Monday.

The statement, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, said the government would work for an economical revival that could only be achieved through restructuring the banking sector.

Lebanon has been in deep economic crisis since 2019, when its financial system collapsed under the weight of massive state debts, prompting a sovereign default in 2020 and freezing ordinary depositors out of their savings in the banking system.

Beirut reached a draft funding deal with IMF in 2022 - contingent on reforms that authorities failed to deliver.

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, who took office as part of a new government agreed earlier this month, told Reuters an IMF mission is expected to visit Lebanon in March.

Jaber said he had met the IMF's resident representative in Lebanon, Frederico Lima, and confirmed that the government plans to move ahead with reforms.

Lebanon's political landscape has been turned on its head since the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, long a dominant player in Lebanese politics, was badly pummelled in last year's war with Israel.

Reflecting the shift in the power balance, the government policy statement did not include language used in previous years that was seen to legitimize a role for Hezbollah in defending Lebanon, saying instead "we want a state that has the decision of war and peace".

The statement said it was required to adopt a national security strategy and a foreign policy that works to 'neutralize' Lebanon from conflicts.

In the field of energy, the Lebanese government will seek to resume work in oil and gas exploration, according to the cabinet statement. It said the government planned to establish a Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

With a new administration in neighboring Syria, the statement said the Lebanese government believed it has an opportunity to start a serious dialogue aimed at controlling and demarcating the borders and working to resolve the issue of displaced Syrians in Lebanon.