Demarcating borders negotiations between Israel and Lebanon postponed

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – One Israeli official and another Lebanese said on Monday, that the American-brokered discussions that were appointed to be held on Wednesday between Israel and Lebanon were postponed until further notice.

In October, both Israel and Lebanon announced that they reached an understanding regarding negotiations sponsored by the United Nations in the border city of Naqoura, in a step that Washington described as historical between the two countries in dispute.  

American mediators who informed the Lebanese officials about the postponement, will hold bilateral contacts with the two countries, a Lebanese source stated.

The Israeli official mentioned that the talks were postponed, without uncovering the reasons.

“The reason for postponement was the Israeli rejection over the Lebanese proposals,” the Lebanese official added. 

Israeli Minister of Energy, Yuval Steinitz said last week that there had been no progress after four rounds of talks, and that the Lebanese attitudes were “provocative.”

Steinitz expected “more obstacles and difficulties,” but he hoped “achieving progress within few months.” 

The negotiations were mainly concentrated on about 860 km² of a marine area, according to a map sent in 2011 to the UN. However, Lebanon later, considered that it was based on wrong estimates.

During the negotiations, Lebanon demanded an additional area of 1,430 km², including part of the Karish field in which the Greek Energean Company operated.

In 2018, Lebanon signed the first contract to explore for gas and oil in two areas of its territorial waters, one of which is located in the disputed area with Israel.