With Lebanon and Israel signing an agreement to demarcate the maritime borders between the two countries, with an American mediation in the Ras al -Naqoura region, southern Lebanon, US President Joe Biden described the move as a historic that brings the region closer to peace, security and stability
In his opinion, the agreement moves the Middle East one step closer to realising the region’s peoples’ aspirations for a safer, more cohesive, and prosperous future.
This demarcation deal “enhances the interests of the two countries and the region, and launches a new chapter of prosperity and stability,” according to a statement released by the White House today, Thursday.
He also emphasised that his nation will continue to serve as a mediator to help the two parties carry out their obligations and put the agreement into effect, adding that the energy in the eastern Mediterranean should not be a source of conflict but rather a means of fostering cooperation, stability, and security.
In earlier remarks made today in Arabic, Over Jendelman, a spokesman for the Israeli government, acknowledged that this deal constituted an express acknowledgment of the State of Israel.
He also stressed that the signing of this agreement was made with the approval and will of Hezbollah, indicating that the latter, which has always been publicly not recognized by the “Zionist entity” as described, was approved and recognized the State of Israel.
It is important to note that reaching this agreement today was not simple; negotiations that began in 2020 stumbled on numerous occasions before picking up steam at the beginning of June following the arrival of a production ship and storage facility close to the Carrich field, which Lebanon had previously deemed to be in a disputed area.
However, under the new agreement, the Carrich field has become completely on the Israeli side, while the Qana field, which exceeds the dividing line between the two parties, has included for Lebanon.
Nevertheless, despite the deal, many analysts think Lebanon is still a long way from being able to extract its oil and gas reserves and that it may take five to six years.
While more than 80% of Lebanese have fallen below the poverty line and the Lebanese lira has lost more than 90% of its value against the dollar, the Lebanese government is relying on the existence of natural fortunes to help overcome the catastrophic effects of the economic collapse that the nation has been experiencing for three years. The World Bank has ranked it as one of the worst in the world since 1850.
Biden: The deal between Israel and Lebanon moves the Middle East toward peace.
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