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Israel, Lebanon agree to maritime border talks

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz confirmed today that Israel and Lebanon will open direct talks on demarking their maritime border with US mediation.
The Tungsten Explorer, an off-shore oil and gas exploration drillship, is seen in the background as people bathe in the Mediterranean water off the coast of Jounieh bay, north of Lebanon's capital Beirut, on May 19, 2020, despite beaches being legally closed due to COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. - Lebanon gradually started lifting a COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown that has compounded its economic crisis despite an uptick in cases that prompted a four-day lockdown. Across the Mediterranean, a seasonal reco

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi confirmed Oct. 1 that Israel and Lebanon will soon discuss demarking their maritime border. Talks are expected to be launched after Israel's Sukkoth holiday in mid-October and will be conducted under the auspices of the United States. Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri has also confirmed the news.

"I would like to thank US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his staff for their dedicated efforts that have led to the beginning of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon on the demarcation of the maritime boundary. This is an important step that has come after three years of diplomatic contacts and would not have been possible without US mediation. I believe that success in the talks will significantly contribute to the stability of the region and promote prosperity for the citizens of both Israel and Lebanon. I thank Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz for the successful cooperation between our two ministries on advancing this issue," tweeted Ashkenazi.

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