Berri Warns of New Conflict with Israel over Maritime Borders

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Speaker Nabih Berri warned on Wednesday of an Israeli pretext to trigger a new war against Lebanon after the latest reports about decisions made by the Israeli government and the Knesset to approve the demarcation of the maritime-economic border with Lebanon, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Wednesday.

Berri voiced warnings of the “new Israeli assault against Lebanon's sovereignty,” and said “what has been revealed by Israeli media was not arbitrary, but rather reveals a path taken by Israel in a bid to control Lebanon's gas and oil wealth within Lebanese economic borders.”

Israeli media revealed two days ago that the Israeli government and the Knesset had decided to approve the demarcation of the sea-economic border, “with the aim of excavating and extracting natural resources.” The most dangerous thing is that it aims to annex a disputed area between Lebanon and Israel rich with oil and gas resources and stretches over an area of about 860 square kilometers, the daily said.

“I have always voiced warning against arriving at such a reality,” said Berri, “someone is responsible for placing the 860 square kilometers in the Israeli circle.”

“Anyway, if the Israeli disposition is correct, which I tend to believe, it is tantamount to a war sparked by Israel. It is another maritime Shebaa Farms Conflict which opens the situation to many dangerous possibilities,” concluded Berri.

Lebanon and Israel are bickering over a maritime zone that consists of about 860 square kilometers and suspected energy reserves that could generate billions of dollars.

Lebanese officials have continuously warned that Israel's exploration of new offshore gas fields near Lebanese territorial waters means the Jewish state is siphoning some of Lebanon's crude oil.

In January, the Lebanese government has approved key decrees that pave way for oil and gas extraction off Lebanon's coast, after more than two years of political deadlock.

The decrees authorize regulators to divide the offshore areas into blocks for drilling and exploration and to issue tenders.

A portion of the reserves lies in territory disputed by the two countries.

Hizbullah has repeatedly warned Israel against tapping into Lebanon's gas reserves

Earlier this decade, geologists discovered a bonanza of gas reserves off the coasts of Lebanon and Israel, sparking a frenzy of development on the Israeli side to tap into the fields.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 3
Missing un520 22 March 2017, 14:00

In my opinion the keay to put pressure on Israel for concessions is to negotiate instead of making threats. You may say that I am naive, and I will reply that you are naive to believe in threats against a far superior military force who also have back-up from the worlds only remaining super-power.

Thumb gebran_sons 22 March 2017, 14:24

Deja Vue! In 2006 fresh after the Cedar Revolution and liberation from Syrian occupation, and while Lebanon was gearing up for a tremendous period of growth, prosperity and optimism; Hizbollah started a war with Israel using Shebaa farm as an excuse, a piece of land still with unclear ownership, to fend off the growing consensus by all Lebanese to the need to disarm Hizb. Hizb’s Iranian arms were needed by Iran’s Junta as attack dogs and surrogate force to protect their nuclear ambitions. Hizb never hesitated a second to cause the destruction of Shia communities just to protect its arms and nurture hatred with Israel for political expediency. Now the same scenario all over again this time with the help of Berri and the puppet Aoun who is risking great harm to Lebanon’s army and infrastructure in a war he has no say or control just to serve Hizb and Iran interests where its rockets are more critical in Trump era.

Default-user-icon 1762 vents (Guest) 22 March 2017, 19:47

No company will touch a contested oil concern no matter what, berri is selling red herrings in a used car lot owned by big foot.