US Welcomes Lebanon, Israel Maritime Boundary Efforts

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington, US, March 10, 2022. (Reuters)
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington, US, March 10, 2022. (Reuters)
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US Welcomes Lebanon, Israel Maritime Boundary Efforts

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington, US, March 10, 2022. (Reuters)
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price speaks during a news conference in Washington, US, March 10, 2022. (Reuters)

The United States on Friday applauded efforts by Lebanon and Israel seeking to reach a decision on maritime boundaries and said it remains committed to facilitating the ongoing negotiations that will help determine oil and gas resources.

The Biden administration thinks a deal could "yield greater stability, security, and prosperity for both Lebanon and Israel, as well as for the region, and believes a resolution is possible," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Lebanon and Israel are locked in US-mediated negotiations to delineate a shared maritime border that would help determine which oil and gas resources belong to which country. The dispute over their boundary has obstructed energy exploration in parts of the eastern Mediterranean and risks exacerbating tensions between the two foes.

A US mediator met with Israeli negotiators last month after Lebanon put forward a proposal.

Earlier this week, the head of powerful armed group Hezbollah however warned "no one" would be allowed to operate in maritime oil and gas fields if Lebanon was barred from its "rights" in extracting from areas off of its own coast.

"Progress towards a resolution can only be reached through negotiations between the parties," the US State Department's Price said Friday.



UN Suspends All Trips into Houthi-Held Areas after More Staffers Detained

27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
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UN Suspends All Trips into Houthi-Held Areas after More Staffers Detained

27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)

The United Nations on Friday suspended all travel into areas held by Yemen’s Houthi militias after more of their staff were detained by the militants.

The Houthis have already detained UN staffers, as well as individuals associated with the once-open US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and aid groups.

“Yesterday, the de facto authorities in Sanaa detained additional UN personnel working in areas under their control,” the UN statement read. “To ensure the security and safety of all its staff, the United Nations has suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities’ control.”

Before Friday, the UN had a total of 16 Yemeni staff in Houthi detention. Staffers were trying to get a headcount across the UN agencies working in the country and had halted their work, which provides food, medicine and other aid to the impoverished nation.

In June, the UN acknowledged 11 Yemeni employees were detained by the Houthis under unclear circumstances as the militias increasingly cracked down on areas under their control. Several dozen others from aid agencies and other organizations are also held.