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Lebanon, Israel resume indirect talks on disputed maritime border

Tuesday, 04 May 2021 10:46 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 04 May 2021 10:56 AM ]

A vessel belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is seen as Lebanon and Israel resume talks on disputed maritime border on May 4, 2021. (Photo by Daily Star)

Beirut and Tel Aviv have resumed indirect negotiations on the demarcation of Lebanon’s southern maritime border with the occupying regime of Israel.

The talks kicked off on Tuesday at the UN base in the Lebanese city of Naqoura.

A mediation team, led by US diplomat John Desrocher, arrived in Beirut on Monday to participate in the discussions.

Lebanon and Israel took part in similar talks on the demarcation of the Mediterranean Sea border that separates Lebanon from the occupied territories.

Lebanon, Israel hold 1st round of indirect demarcation talks

However, the negotiations stalled after each side presented contrasting maps outlining proposed frontiers that actually increased the size of the disputed area.

"The discussion will start from where we left it off," a source at the Lebanese presidency told AFP, adding that both sides had demanded a different demarcation line.

"We don't accept the line they've proposed, and they don't accept ours, so we'll see what the mediator suggests," the source added.

Lebanon fought off two Israeli wars in 2000 and 2006. On both occasions, battleground contribution by its Hezbollah resistance movement proved an indispensable asset, forcing the Israeli military into a retreat.

Lebanon and the occupying regime are technically at war since the latter has kept the Arab country’s Shebaa Farms under occupation since 1967.

Beirut eyes the issue of delineation of its southern border zone with great sensitivity both due to concerns of Israel’s expansionist attitude and given its plans to engage in oil and gas exploration in its share of the Mediterranean.

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