Berri Warns Israel 'Stealing' Lebanon's Gas, Nazarian Calls for Action
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Speaker Nabih Berri has reiterated that Israel was “stealing” Lebanon's natural gas through a pipeline lying in its territorial waters despite a claim made by Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian that he did not have information about the alleged aggression.
Berri told As Safir daily published on Thursday that he has “evidence” condemning Israel.
The Jewish state is stealing huge amounts of Lebanese natural gas through a pipeline that runs along Lebanon's territorial waters, he said.
Berri warned that he would soon divulge the information he has. “It is unacceptable for Israel to keep its aggression on Lebanese sovereignty and national wealth,” he said.
The speaker vowed to pressure the government in January to consider the oil file a priority.
He also criticized a ministerial committee formed by Prime Minister Tammam Salam to follow up the case, saying it hasn't done enough.
When asked by As Safir about Berri's claims, Nazarian said he did not have such information. “I don't know how and from where he got them.”
But Nazarian promised to inquire Berri about the matter. “If there was real evidence that Israel is stealing gas, then Lebanon should move to protect its rights.”
The minister stressed that the cabinet has so far failed to discuss two oil exploration bills after the ministerial committee's members expressed reservations on several of their clauses.
“I am still waiting for the bills to be placed on the (cabinet) agenda,” he told As Safir.
He warned that Lebanon would miss the oil exploration chance if the authorities did not take any action.
Last August, the government postponed for the fifth time the first round of licensing for gas exploration over a political dispute.
The disagreements were over the designation of blocks open for bidding and the terms of a draft exploration agreement.
Highly-informed sources told As Safir that Israel has lately agreed to supply gas to Egypt and Jordan – two Arab countries which could have been the receivers of Lebanese offshore gas.
The daily quoted several Egyptian and Jordanian officials as asking Lebanese leaders on when Lebanon would start licensing and production.
But they have never received answers and the opportunity was lost, it said.
G.K.
H.K.
11 December 2014, 08:34
62
The stealing of our natural resources, is a theft to all Lebanese.
I would like to see M14's reaction to this, are we going to supply ourselves, or you going to beg the Gulf countries to send us oil at heavy prices, every now and then?
11 December 2014, 11:37
22
Mystic, it's more like a thief like Mr. Berri who is warning about the Jews stealing our resources. Had it been a warning coming from honest and decent folks like Mr. Demianos Kattar, or Ziad Baroud or any politician who is know for honesty and integrity, then I would heed the warning, but warnings coming from the King of thieves, of Mr. Ali Baba himself means one thing and one thing only, Berri is nagging because this is one time when he is unable to tap into something that is not his. And when Berri taps, it means a long queue of thieves waiting to be served, their fair share. The solution will come when people like Berri, Nasrallah and Aoun will finally realize that paralyzing the nation by delaying the renewal of its constitutional post like now the presidency's, then we Lebanese will be in a proper position to tackle all matters with the Jewish state.
11 December 2014, 14:12
51
Phoenix, again it's funny to see your total neglect of any Israeli crimes. Even when they steal Lebanon's natural resources.
Do not deny that you are pro Israeli, now you will say I am pro Iranian, I will not deny that. But atleast don't deny you are pro Israeli.
Do not give me this crap, about only being Lebanese. It doesn't work any longer.
11 December 2014, 14:46
41
Naharnet's deleting squad is out today, I've had several comments deleted the past hour.
Phoenix, It is not surprising to see your neglect of any Israeli crimes against the Lebanese state, not enough that they dropped bombs on Lebanon, you also nod welcoming, when they steal our natural resources, do not deny being pro Israeli, this time.
It is getting pretty obvious as the days goes by.
P.S to Naharnet, you might aswell suspend me instead of deleting all my comments, then you can have M14 people, discuss &T agreeing among themselves everyday.
11 December 2014, 08:55
24
Berri has information but the energy minister knows nothing. Typical Lebanese efficiency and backstabbing.
11 December 2014, 12:10
32
@Lubnani, touche, this is very true, thanks for bringing it up.
11 December 2014, 17:25
11
1(wa7ad) Illa akhi Mystic. Mystic, I sympathize with your posts being deleted, but lately people like you have had quite a few problems holdings your horses over your sentiments, surely calling other posters by sultry names are not helping you guys a lot. About Israel stealing our resources, please, tell me what they are, some water, some goats, a few shepherds released later? Now let's compare that with some notable Lebanese leaders are stealing please, care to continue? Then let's throw on the table the theft by Syria of Lebanon's resources? Or of those stooges who gladly support them? Who is stealing electricity, water, wlak shou baddak yaa akhy? You've been over my shoulders lately, calling me pro-Israeli, pro Amreekan, tayeb ya akh tayeb, meshel 7al. But then, you ya Mystic what are you?
11 December 2014, 17:31
11
2. (tneyn) Illa akhi Mystic). Yes, you are a Hezbollah partisan, fair enough, it's your right and I respect that right, but then let's see.......Hezbollah still cashes into its account in US Dollars, still pays its employees and fighters and partisans in US Dollars. Euros? hell NOooooo, Dollars only. When people got their houses leveled in 2006, HA paid $12,000 ma heyk? Again, USD. Hezbollah has many business interest in the USA, and this including large bank accounts. Why is HA suffering today, is it not because of the freezing of its assets there and in other countries? US Dollars again, not Ausie Dollars, ma heyk :). Who is importing most of these beautiful Amreekan cars but HA and its operatives here? Who is selling Coke and grass to Israel and the US, is it me or you guys? maybe I am not as pro-Amreekan as you are ya Mystic, so why do you keep ignoring such facts? Allah yerda3 3aleyk ya akh, rawwe2a 3aleyna shwaye.
11 December 2014, 10:53
23
If it is true...it is not difficult to prove. Then, the UN is the place to file complaint and solve conflicts among countries.
11 December 2014, 10:55
23
Absolutely...remember Imbassil wanted this ministry for adding more millions into his pocket...
11 December 2014, 13:53
52
M14ers posting & confirming what most already suspected....They would rather see outsiders benefit at all times.
Tea serving comes to mind !!!
11 December 2014, 14:16
52
roar - It's getting pitiful to watch, Israel might aswell take their hands in the M14'ers pocket and grab their wallets, they wouldn't mind it at all. They would nod say "You're Welcome" Just like Phoenix.
11 December 2014, 16:22
41
Your too kind in your assessment, mystic...even some Jewish people I know laugh at Lebanon's tea servers.
11 December 2014, 17:38
12
Mystic rou2, ma badda hal ad, 3an jad. The man you're calling pro-Israel and Pro-Amreekan is actually employing nearly 50% Lebanese Shiites of his expat staff in Africa, with good salaries, bonuses, paid leaves, medical insurance,... etc... My company does not see religion but Lebanese, simple. But the problem is that I am paying them in US Dollars, every 26th of the month, is that a problem?
11 December 2014, 14:29
23
Why does it matter? The Lebanese people will not see a cent of benefit anyways. It will all go to the pockets of our honest, hard-working politicians.
11 December 2014, 15:28
22
Absolutely with Phoenix on this one. First of all, where is Berri getting this information, is he sitting on the seafloor? Berri is only worried about this because he and a bunch of others all want to steal it. Explain how he and not the energy minister has such information. And it's like Paul said, it's not like the people are gonna see one cent of this. All the profits will be pocketed, or folks like Berri will make deals a la Hessni Mubarak and sell the oil to Israel for a nice discount
11 December 2014, 17:49
12
Berri Baba must have read Naharnet and must have called Nazarian, so yeah, the minister had to cover up his boss. Now the minister knows as opposed to the minister did not know early this morning. This is called, Lebanese patch patch business. If it leaks, patch it.
11 December 2014, 18:40
11
"despite a claim made by Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian that he did not have information about the alleged aggression."
and you want to trust the lebanese politicians when one knows the other doesn't? Lebanon has not even started extracting oil and we already have disagreements....
that oil is going to be more a source of conflict between lebanese than with israel... as usual... pityful nation
11 December 2014, 18:52
00
the claim is rather strange !
please bear in mind that any propaganda is mainly directed internally, therefore I would like to know what is the meaning of this declaration :
-the need to absolutely focus attention over something else (but that would be the hizb's propaganda job ) ?
-they are desperately looking for another source of revenue ?
-why mandating berri, why now ? or is he now more free to deal with this file ? is he now working alone ?
so many questions
24 December 2014, 15:01
00
First of all Israel is not drilling Noble Energy is. No international oil company will ever drill in disputed waters. There are no oil platforms anywhere near the lebanese area, there is no secret underwater pipeline, i kinow the lebanese are stupid but even they should have noticed this
Moreover nobody knows if there is any gas in lebanese waters, since there has been no drilling. There is no oil at all so lets keep this noncence out.The lebanese should stop talking like idiot and have an oil company start drilling ( since like Israel ) it doesn't have the capacity itself.
