Lebanon FM: Hezbollah’s flying of drones toward Karish gas field 'unacceptable'

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib criticised Hezbollah for launching three unarmed reconnaissance drones toward the Karish natural gas field, which is located in disputed waters between Lebanon and Israel.

“Lebanon considers any act that falls outside the framework of the state’s responsibility and the diplomatic track within which negotiations are taking place as unacceptable and exposes [Lebanon] to unnecessary risks,” he told reporters following his meeting with Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati.

He reiterated support for US mediator Amos Hochstein in his role in the maritime demarcation negotiations.

“The ongoing negotiations held with the assistance of the US mediator are in advanced stages,” Bou Habib said, adding that Hezbollah’s move to fly the three drones, which Israel said it downed, came without official consent from the Lebanese state.

Read: Lebanon PM chides unofficial moves in Israel row after Hezbollah sends drones