Aoun says gas deal remarks guarantee Lebanon's rights

President Michel Aoun said Thursday that Lebanon’s remarks over U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein’s latest proposal “guarantee Lebanon’s right to oil and gas exploration in the fields specified in the Exclusive Economic Zone.”

“These remarks also prevent any interpretations that do not conform to the framework specified by Lebanon for the demarcation process during the negotiations that lasted for months,” Aoun added, during a meeting with caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Slim.

Israel said earlier on Thursday that it will reject Lebanon's amendments to the U.S.-drafted proposal. A draft agreement floated by US envoy Amos Hochstein aims to settle competing claims over offshore gas fields and was delivered to Lebanese and Israeli officials at the weekend, following years of indirect negotiations.

Israel had welcomed the terms set out by Hochstein and said they would be subjected to legal review, but gave no indication it sought substantive changes. Lebanon presented its response to Washington's proposal on Tuesday.

A Lebanese official involved in negotiations told AFP that "Lebanon has not yet been notified of Israel's response."

The official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the talks, said Beirut's negotiators had been working with Hochstein "all night... to clarify some points."

Washington's terms were also welcomed by Iran-backed Hezbollah, a major player in Lebanon that considers Israel its arch-enemy.