Minister Bassil: If “Israel” Violates Lebanon’s Maritime Borders, Its Interests will be in Danger

Local Editor

Lebanese Energy and Water Minister Gibran Bassil responded to the Zionist Infrastructure Minister's threats that the "Israeli" enemy will not admit Lebanon's right to the discovered Gas fields.

In this context, Minister Bassil said that the technique "Israel" is using against Lebanon will not do it any good, and therefore he urged "Israel" to stop using this technique, especially that Lebanon found the perfect cure to tackle such aggressions.

In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, Bassil confirmed that Lebanon is following up the maritime borders with the Zionist entity in accordance with the law of the sea, which states how borders should be marked.

Gibran Bassil clarified that the Lebanese government has signed the law of the sea, where as "Israel" hasn't approved the law yet, while according to international law, it should be abiding by it.

"If "Israel" tried to violate our maritime borders and oil resources, then its interests will become threatened, which means that the investments in "Israel" could also become in danger", Minister Bassil said.

Lebanese Energy Minister referred that the true problem on the oil level lies in the behavior of some Lebanese officials, who have betrayed the country.

On this level, Bassil stated that he has issued three proposals to the government, in which he asked for the maritime borders to be marked and sent to the parliament and the Security Council for approval, but his requests were not implemented.

Furthermore, Gibran Bassil criticized the obstacles set by the Ministry of Finance, further wondering why the maritime borders convention agreed upon between Lebanon and Cyprus, has not yet been passed on to the Parliament for approval.

Minister Bassil considered claims that approving a maritime border convention with Cyprus would irritate Turkey, are no excuse.

Bassil stressed that there are diplomatic affairs between Lebanon and Cyprus, which will not giver Turkey any reason to refuse a bilateral maritime border convention.