NNA - President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, contacted today Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and a number of concerned sides, to discuss the new developments following news of the “ENERGEAN POWER” liquefied natural gas production and storage unit ship’s entry into the disputed area in the southern maritime borders.

Aoun asked the Lebanese army leadership to provide him with accurate and official data in this regard, pointing out that “negotiations to demarcate the maritime borders are still ongoing, and therefore any action or activity in the disputed area constitutes a provocation and a hostile act.”

It is to note that Lebanon submitted a letter to the United Nations a few weeks ago confirming its adherence to its marine rights and wealth, and asserting that the Karish field is located within the disputed area. The letter was circulated at that time to all members of the Security Council as a document of the Council under the number S/2022/84 on February 2, 2022, and was duly published.

In its letter to the Security Council, Lebanon requested that Israel refrains from any drilling activity in the disputed areas, in order to avoid steps that might pose a threat to international peace and security. The letter also confirmed that Lebanon is still counting on the success of the mediation efforts undertaken by US Mediator Amos Hochstein, to reach a negotiated solution to the maritime border issue under the auspices of the United Nations.

===========R.Sh.