BEIRUT: A senior U.S. diplomat has renewed his government?s offer to help mediate a dispute between Lebanon and Israel over an 850 kilometer offshore border area, Grand Serail sources said.
President Michel Sleiman and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy Amos J Hochstein Wednesday.
?Hochstein conveyed his country?s support and readiness to help Lebanon, praising what has been achieved already [by Lebanon] regarding its oil and gas wealth,? a statement by Sleiman?s office said.
?[The U.S. official] also expressed his country?s desires to help Lebanon develop its sector through the experience of U.S. [oil and gas] companies,? it added.
Hochstein is expected to hold a joint news conference with Energy Minister Gebran Bassil after a meeting scheduled later this afternoon.
Lebanon and Israel both lay claim to roughly 850 square kilometers of sea that is said to be rich in natural gas resources. The U.S. has said it will help resolve the issue.
Bassil has raised the alarm over the past weeks over Israel?s potential ability to siphon hydrocarbon resources from Lebanon after the Jewish state made large gas discoveries in close proximity to Lebanon.
Following a visit by Hochstein in March, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the official renewed support for the Lebanese government?s efforts to implement fair and transparent regulations for Lebanon?s energy sector and discussed Lebanon?s maritime exclusive economic zone during meetings held with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Mikati
acm awards global payments eli young band wrestlemania country music awards 2012 wrestlemania 28 results earl scruggs
No comments:
Post a Comment