Miqati urges keeping sea border file away from domestic bickering

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Tuesday stressed the importance of keeping the sea border demarcation file “away from domestic bickering and political calculations,” seeing as it “concerns all Lebanese.”

In a statement, Miqati emphasized that “the Lebanese state is following up on this sovereign par excellence file,” adding that “it is being addressed through diplomatic means in order to reach positive results.”

The premier also said that Lebanon wants to resume the indirect negotiations with Israel and to preserve its own “waters, natural resources and stability.”

Lebanon had on Monday invited U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein to return to Beirut as soon as possible to work out an agreement amid rising tensions along the border, after reports said that a gas production ship had crossed the so-called Line 29, which is disputed by Lebanon.

Israel says the Karish field is part of its U.N.-recognized exclusive economic zone. Lebanon insists it is in a disputed area.

The U.S.-mediated indirect talks between Lebanon and Israel have been stalled for months amid disagreement within Lebanon over how big the disputed area is.

Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hizbullah has warned it would use its weapons to protect Lebanon's economic rights.

On Sunday, Lebanon warned Israel not to start drilling in the Karish field and President Michel Aoun said maritime border negotiations have not ended, adding that any move by Israel will be considered "a provocation and hostile act."