Biden congratulates Lebanon and Israel and “messages” on energy in the Eastern Mediterranean

Israel and Lebanon today signed a landmark agreement to demarcate their maritime borders, paving the way for hydrocarbon exploration and production.

The agreement was reached a few days ago after months of negotiations under the auspices of the United States and was signed by the leaders of Israel and Lebanon at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, in the presence of the US mediator Amos Hostein and the UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon Joanna I was raining.

Amos Hostein told reporters after a meeting with the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, that he believes the agreement will be respected, even if the two countries change leadership.

Hostein was referring to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Israel, on November 1, but also to the end of President Aoun’s term in Lebanon, on October 31. The agreement will be honored “regardless of who is soon elected the next president of Lebanon,” he said.

US President Joe Biden hailed the achievement of the “historic” agreement, stressing that “it took a lot of courage” for the sides to commit and bring it to fruition.

Joe Biden: Energy in the Eastern Mediterranean must be a tool for cooperation, stability, security and prosperity

President Biden made a new reference to the issue of energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean on the occasion of the official conclusion of the agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

As he characteristically noted, “energy, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, should not be a cause of conflict, but a tool for cooperation, stability, security and prosperity. This agreement brings us one step closer to realizing a vision of a Middle East that will be more secure, integrated and prosperous, bringing benefits to all the people of the region.”

In this light, President Biden expressed his satisfaction that the final steps have been taken to activate the agreement and assured that the US will continue its mediation role with the aim of ensuring that all parties honor the commitments made undertaken. “I am proud and congratulate Israel and Lebanon for officially concluding their agreement to resolve this long-standing dispute. Today both parties took the final steps to put this agreement into effect. The United States will continue to act as a mediator as the parties work to honor their commitments.”

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