Article author:
Reuters
Bayroot — After sending three drones to Israel's Gasrig, where the powerful Hezbora movement was shot down, the Lebanese Prime Minister on Monday made an informal deal over the line of sea borders with Israel. Criticized it as dangerous and unacceptable.
Hezbollah is a long-standing but so far fruitless US intermediary to agree on a maritime border between the two countries near the area where Israel made a large-scale natural gas discovery. Following the effort, it went into operation on Saturday.
"Lebanon believes that actions outside the diplomatic context in which state responsibility and negotiations are taking place are unacceptable, and (Lebanon) is an unnecessary risk. The Prime Minister's residence has nominated the Najib Mikati office.
The statement was issued after a meeting between Mikati and Foreign Minister Abdullah Bow Habib.
The statement called for "everyone without exception" to stand behind the Lebanese state in the negotiation process, which stated that it had reached the "advanced stage."
Hezbora said on Saturday that a drone fired at the Kalish gas fields in the waters claimed by the two countries successfully carried out a reconnaissance mission and "delivered a message."
The Israeli army said it intercepted the drone the first time an Israeli naval vessel shot down an incoming target.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Ganz said after the incident, Hezbora "prevented Lebanon from reaching an agreement on maritime borders."
(Report by Timour Azhari, Written by Timour Azhari, Edited by William Maclean)
