Conflict Israel agrees to start talks on Lebanon maritime boundary demarcation October 2, 11:27
The conflicting Israeli and Lebanese governments have announced that they have agreed to begin talks to demarcate maritime boundaries under the auspices of the United States.
The focus is on whether it will lead to improved relations because it will be the first time in about 30 years if the talks between the two countries, which are in a truce, are realized.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 1st that it has agreed to start talks directly with Lebanon to demarcate the border in the eastern Mediterranean with the mediation of the United States.
The Israeli media said the talks are expected to take place at a UN facility in southern Lebanon starting mid-month.
The Lebanese presidential palace also acknowledged that it would consult with Israel and called for fair mediation, saying, "I hope the US side will continue to mediate in good faith."
On the other hand, there is a discrepancy with the explanation on the Israeli side, such as the chairman of the National Assembly, Belli, who led the agreement on the Lebanese side, insisting that he also discuss the land border.
In recent years, huge gas fields have been found and developed one after another in the eastern Mediterranean, but the maritime boundaries between Israel and Lebanon have not been demarcated, claiming the right to develop each other.
The two countries have been in a truce for many years, including Israel's invasion across the border in 2006, and are still in a truce.
For this reason, the Israeli government says it will be the first time in about 30 years if formal talks are realized.
In the Middle East, US mediation is improving relations between Israel and Arab countries, and the focus is on whether talks with Lebanon will lead to such a move.
U.S. Secretary of State welcomes statement
In this regard, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who acted as an intermediary, issued a welcome statement saying, "It has the potential to bring greater stability and prosperity to the citizens of Lebanon and Israel."
The Trump administration is helping to improve relations between Israel and the Arab countries, and is expected to aim to showcase its diplomatic achievements for the US presidential election next month.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Hezbollah by imposing sanctions on two former Lebanese government ministers last month for supporting the Iran-backed Islamic Shiite organization Hezbollah.
"We will continue to sanction people involved in corruption in Lebanon," said Assistant Secretary of State Schenker, who is in charge of the Middle East at the State Department, in a telephone conference on the 1st, emphasizing the idea of maintaining pressure on Hezbollah.