Israel and Lebanon reached a historic agreement on Tuesday, defining a disputed maritime boundary between the countries over major fuel fields in the Mediterranean.
Although the agreement only defines an ocean border between the two Middle Eastern countries, the agreement marks a vital compromise between two countries that have been enemies. The United States has been seeking to broker a peace deal between the countries for years.
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“This is a historic achievement that will strengthen Israel’s security, inject billions into the Israeli economy and ensure the stability of our northern border,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in an interview received via Reuters.
The deal will also ease a source of tension that still exists between the countries by resolving a border between Karish’s oil and fuel box and a domain known as the Qanaa prospect. Both are expected to fall into Israeli and Lebanese waters respectively under the new agreement. . The agreement also sets out a way for either country to get royalties from the fuel box, which runs on both sides of the border. The agreement does not cover the land border.
“The latest edition of the offering is acceptable to Lebanon and meets its demands and has preserved Lebanon’s rights to this wealth of herbs,” Lebanese President Michel Aoun said in a statement.
Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed militant organization that strongly opposes Israel, has also shaken hands with the deal, according to Reuters.
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The deal still wants to be approved by Israel’s parliament, which Lapid said would meet on Wednesday after a regular government consultation, according to CNN. Lapid will be re-elected next month and no final deal is expected to be reached. signed for 3 weeks, according to an Israeli official.
Lebanese officials said the deal replaced relations between the countries.