Report: Lebanese Oil and Gas Expert Warns of Israel Demarcation ‘Tricks’

A new round of sea border demarcation talks between the Lebanese and Israeli sides is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, amid “alerts” raised by Lebanese experts that Israel “leaked” the minutes of the meetings to the media, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Tuesday.

According to a Lebanese oil and gas expert, he told the daily that the Israeli delegation responsible for negotiations with Lebanon has leaked the “secret” minutes of the meeting to Israeli media that involve potentially lucrative oil and gas deals.

The expert told the daily that Lebanon adheres to its full sovereignty over its entire land and maritime borders, and that it possesses documents that fully prove this right. He said Lebanon presents its approaches during the Naqoura negotiations based on these documents, no more or less.

He pointed out that the Lebanese delegation is aware of the “tricks” that the Israeli side may resort to. Noting that Lebanon is not interested in anything being raised in Israeli media promoting the adoption of new rules for demarcating borders, or bypassing maps, as a result of which Lebanon could get more than 55% of the disputed 860 square kilometer.

He said the Israeli “propaganda” may try to “lure” the Lebanese side to accept that, over allegations it would give Lebanon and Israel huge economic benefits, “but from Lebanon’s own area."

“Negotiations with Israel are not as easy as Lebanon hopes,” the expert told the daily. “As I have already indicated, the Lebanese documents and maps confirm the unequivocal right of Lebanon to its waters beyond the area of 860 kilometers. Our position is firm and we insist on our full right before any expected procrastination on the Israeli side,” he concluded.