Aoun: Lebanon’s border talks with Israel serve regional stability

Lebanese President Michel Aoun said yesterday that Lebanon’s indirect talks with Israel over their maritime borders reflect Beirut’s “desire to continue maintaining stability and security in the region”.

Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with the Lebanese negotiating team held in Beirut in the presence of the Armed Forces Commander, General Joseph Aoun, the Presidency said in a statement.

According to the statement, Aoun has provided the negotiating delegation with his directions and stressed “the importance of correcting the maritime borders in accordance with international laws and regulations, as well as Lebanon’s right to invest its natural resources in the exclusive economic zone.”

On Friday, US officials who are mediating the talks announced that indirect talks between the two countries over their disputed maritime borders “will resume next Tuesday”.

Beirut and Tel Aviv engaged in four rounds of negotiations from 14 October to 11 November, but talks failed. The disputed area is located in a potentially gas-rich region.

READ: Israel draws new map for maritime border with Lebanon