Mustaqbal Rejects Israeli ‘Blackmail’ on Offshore Gas Block – Naharnet
Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc on Tuesday stressed “Lebanon’s ultimate right to sign an agreement for exploration and drilling in Block 9,” describing the offshore gas block as “an inseparable part of Lebanon’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”
“Lebanon had long ago and according to norms informed the U.N. and international authorities of the borders of its EEZ,” the bloc reminded in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.
Describing Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s remarks on the gas block as “an attempt at intimidation, hegemony, blackmail and domination against Lebanon,” Mustaqbal said it “strongly stands by the Lebanese state and all its institutions as they confront the Israeli government’s allegations and threats.”
It also emphasized that Lieberman’s remarks “are totally rejected by the whole of Lebanon and its government.”
Lieberman had on Wednesday described as “very provocative” Lebanon’s tender on exploring gas in Block 9. This gas field “is by all accounts ours,” the Israeli minister claimed.
Lebanon in December approved a bid for offshore oil and gas exploration off its Mediterranean coast — a vision for years hampered by political instability and domestic wrangling.
That deal was awarded to the only bidder, an international consortium including France’s Total and Russia’s Novatek.
Lebanese officials say the country will start exploratory offshore drilling in 2019.
A major finding in Lebanon’s southernmost waters could raise the possibility of a dispute with Israel, which is developing a number of offshore gas deposits, with one large field, Tamar, already producing gas, and the larger Leviathan field set to go online next year.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241872-mustaqbal-rejects-israeli-blackmail-on-offshore-gas-block
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Aoun: Lieberman’s Remarks Reflect True Israeli Intentions NAHARNET
President Michel Aoun on Monday warned that Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s remarks on an offshore gas block dubbed Block 9 “reflect the true Israeli intentions.”
Aoun voiced his warning during a meeting with visiting Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos.
Thanking Greece for its “participation in the maritime force of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),” the president noted that “the role of UNIFIL’s maritime component has become more important in terms of protecting Lebanese territorial waters, especially the Exclusive Economic Zone.”
“Israel has ambitions to control parts of it before Lebanon launches oil and gas exploration in it,” Aoun added.
Lieberman had on Wednesday described as “very provocative” Lebanon’s tender on exploring gas in Block 9. This gas field “is by all accounts ours,” the Israeli minister claimed.
Lebanon in December approved a bid for offshore oil and gas exploration off its Mediterranean coast — a vision for years hampered by political instability and domestic wrangling.
That deal was awarded to the only bidder, an international consortium including France’s Total and Russia’s Novatek.
Lebanese officials say the country will start exploratory offshore drilling in 2019.
A major finding in Lebanon’s southernmost waters could raise the possibility of a dispute with Israel, which is developing a number of offshore gas deposits, with one large field, Tamar, already producing gas, and the larger Leviathan field set to go online next year.
There are over 800 square kilometers of waters claimed by Lebanon and Israel, which are technically in a state of conflict. Israel and Hizbullah fought a fierce, monthlong war in 2006.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241785-aoun-lieberman-s-remarks-reflect-true-israeli-intentions
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Abi Khalil Says Lebanon Will Go Ahead with Oil Exploration Despite Israel Claims NAHARNET
Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil vowed that Beirut will go ahead with oil and gas exploration near its maritime border despite Israeli claims to the field that provoked wide condemnation in the tiny Arab country.
Abi Khalil’s comments to The Associated Press came a day after Israel’s defense minister described as “very provocative” Lebanon’s offshore oil and gas exploration on the countries’ maritime border and suggested that Lebanon had sought bids from international companies for a gas field “which is by all accounts ours.”
The Israeli official’s comments drew sharp condemnation from Hizbullah and Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who described Lieberman’s comments as a “blatant provocation that Lebanon rejects.”
In December, the Lebanese Cabinet approved licenses for three international companies to carry out exploratory drilling off the Lebanese coast. The licenses will allow Italy’s Eni, France’s Total and Russia’s Novatek, who bid for two of Lebanon’s 10 offshore blocks, to determine whether oil and gas exist.
“We consider this statement as an aggression on Lebanon’s sovereignty to practice its natural right to explore our oil resources,” Abi Khalil said in his office. He added that the block that is on the border with Israel is “inside Lebanese territorial waters and Lebanon demarcated maritime borders in accordance with international laws.”
Abi Khalil said Beirut had informed the United Nations by giving locations of its border after it was demarcated. Abi Khalil said the three companies will begin drilling in 2019 and depending on what they find, the country will put forward more blocks for oil companies to bid for.
A major find in Lebanon’s southernmost waters could raise the possibility of a dispute with Israel, which is developing a number of offshore gas deposits, with one large field, Tamar, already producing gas, and the larger Leviathan field set to go online next year.
There are over 800 square kilometers (300 square miles) of waters claimed by the two countries, which are technically in a state of conflict. Israel and Hizbullah fought a month-long war in 2006.
“We will use all available means to protect our rights in our Lebanese waters,” Abi Khalil said.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: “We’re encouraging everybody to use diplomatic means to address these issues.”
“We support the right of both Lebanon and Israel to exploit their maritime resources in accordance with the international Law of the Sea,” he told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York.
“We encourage both countries to continue efforts to address the delimitation of their respective maritime exclusion zones . and the exploration of their natural resources in a manner that does not give rise to tensions” but instead “builds confidence through dividends of cooperation,” Dujarric said.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241673-abi-khalil-says-lebanon-will-go-ahead-with-oil-exploration-despite-israel-claims
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Lebanon Says Will Pursue Oil Exploration despite Israeli Criticism NAHARNET
Lebanon on Thursday pledged to do “everything in its power” to pursue oil and gas drilling off its coast, in response to Israeli accusations that such explorations were “provocative.”
In December, Lebanon approved a first bid to search for oil and gas in two blocks off the country’s Mediterranean coast, including one that Israel says belongs to it.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said awarding such bids amounted to “provocative behavior” by Lebanon’s government.
“They issue a tender on a gas field — including a bloc which by all accounts is ours — to international groups that are respectable companies, which to my mind are making a serious mistake since it’s against all rules and protocol in cases like this,” Lieberman said.
Lebanese officials have fired back, with Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil on Thursday saying Lebanon would defend its right to drill there.
“Israel will do what it can to block us from taking advantage of our oil wealth, and we will do everything in our power to defend it,” Abi Khalil told a local radio station.
Lebanon will sign agreements with the explorers — France’s Total, Italy’s ENI and Russia’s Novatek — next week and would be ready to begin drilling by 2019, he said.
Lieberman’s comments on Wednesday have set off a firestorm in Lebanon.
Hizbullah on Wednesday warned that it would “respond firmly to any attack on our oil and gas rights.”
And on Thursday, President Michel Aoun pledged Lebanon would “defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by all available means.”
Lebanon is looking to tap potential oil and gas reserves after major offshore discoveries by neighboring Israel and Cyprus.
On December 14, it approved a bid on blocks four and nine — just two of the five that were offered.
Block nine is the disputed block with Israel
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241647-lebanon-says-will-pursue-oil-exploration-despite-israeli-criticism
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Aoun Warns against ‘Creating Atmosphere that Chimes with Israeli Threats’ NAHARNET
resident Michel Aoun on Thursday warned against “creating an atmosphere that chimes with Israeli threats,” a day after Israel claimed that an offshore gas field belongs to it and not to Lebanon.
Speaking before his visitors, Aoun reiterated his warning of “the dangerous stance voiced by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman about Block 9 in the Exclusive Economic Zone in south Lebanon.”
He urged “vigilance over what the Israeli enemy is plotting against Lebanon, especially that parties inside and outside the country are working on creating an atmosphere that chimes with the Israeli threats.”
“Lebanon has moved to confront these Israeli claims through diplomatic means, while stressing its right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity through all means possible,” the president noted.
In December, Lebanon approved a first bid to search for oil and gas in two blocks off the country’s Mediterranean coast, including one that Israel says belongs to it.
Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil said Thursday that Lebanon will sign agreements with the explorers — France’s Total, Italy’s ENI and Russia’s Novatek — next week and would be ready to begin drilling by 2019.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241630-aoun-warns-against-creating-atmosphere-that-chimes-with-israeli-threats
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AMAL on Lieberman Remarks: Israeli Aspirations Will be Confronted NAHARNET
AMAL Movement issued a statement on Thursday replying to Israel’s threats about an offshore gas block, stressing it will confront the “Zionist aggressive ambitions.”
“We pledge our leader Imam Musa al-Sadr and our leader (Speaker) Nabih Berri that we will always confront Israel’s aggressive aspirations. We will exert strenuous efforts to consolidate national unity,” a statement titled The Ideological Battle against the Zionist Entity said.
“Israel’s greed in Lebanon’s strategic location, natural reserves and marine resources are not new, but Lieberman’s statement is. Israel wants to openly steal Lebanon’s marine resources and is trying to gain an international legislation for that,” it added.
AMAL leader has always warned of “Israel’s plans to sabotage peace in the region,” it said. This is what made the party “insist on cementing the “sovereign” oil block in the south of Lebanon.”
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman described as “very provocative” Lebanon’s tender on exploring gas in Block 9. This gas field “is by all accounts ours,” the Israeli minister said.
Lebanon in December approved a bid for offshore oil and gas exploration off its Mediterranean coast — a vision for years hampered by political instability and domestic wrangling.
That deal was awarded to the only bidder, an international consortium including France’s Total and Russia’s Novatek.
Lebanese officials say the country will start exploratory offshore drilling in 2019.
A major finding in Lebanon’s southernmost waters could raise the possibility of a dispute with Israel, which is developing a number of offshore gas deposits, with one large field, Tamar, already producing gas, and the larger Leviathan field set to go online next year.
There are over 800 square kilometers of waters claimed by Lebanon and Israel, which are technically in a state of conflict. Israel and Hizbullah fought a fierce, monthlong war in 2006.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241626-amal-on-lieberman-remarks-israeli-aspirations-will-be-confronted
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Hizbullah Vows to Confront ‘Any Attack’ on Lebanon’s ‘Oil and Gas Rights’ NAHARNET
Hizbullah on Wednesday hit back at Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman over remarks about offshore gas, pledging to “confront any attack” on Lebanon’s “oil and gas rights.”
“Lieberman’s statements are a new reflection of the continuous Israeli ambitions regarding Lebanon’s resources, land and waters, and are part of the hostile policy against Lebanon and its sovereignty and legitimate rights,” Hizbullah said in a communique.
“As we express our support for the stances of the three presidents and the rest of Lebanese officials against this new aggression, we reiterate our firm and forthright stance on confronting any attack on our oil and gas rights, defending Lebanon’s installations and protecting its resources,” the group added.
It was referring to stances by Lebanon’s president, parliament speaker and premier and the Lebanese ministers of foreign affairs, defense and energy.
Earlier in the day, Lieberman described as “very provocative” Lebanon’s tender on exploring gas in Block 9. This gas field “is by all accounts ours,” the Israeli minister said.
Lebanon in December approved a bid for offshore oil and gas exploration off its Mediterranean coast — a vision for years hampered by political instability and domestic wrangling.
That deal was awarded to the only bidder, an international consortium including France’s Total and Russia’s Novatek.
Lebanese officials say the country will start exploratory offshore drilling in 2019.
A major finding in Lebanon’s southernmost waters could raise the possibility of a dispute with Israel, which is developing a number of offshore gas deposits, with one large field, Tamar, already producing gas, and the larger Leviathan field set to go online next year.
There are over 800 square kilometers of waters claimed by Lebanon and Israel, which are technically in a state of conflict. Israel and Hizbullah fought a fierce, monthlong war in 2006.
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Lebanese Ministers React to Lieberman’s Remarks on Gas Block NAHARNET
Several Lebanese ministers swiftly reacted Wednesday to remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on an offshore gas block.
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil reminded of a January 18 letter to the U.N. in which he said that “the Lebanese republic asserts its right to use all means possible to defend itself and its legitimate and documented economic interests in the event of any attack.”
Energy and Water Minister Cesar Abi Khalil also said that “Lebanon will utilize all means possible to fend off the Israeli attack declared today by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman about Block 9.”
“Lieberman’s remarks on Block 9 are a blatant attack on Lebanese rights and we will not allow anyone to impose any restrictions on us regarding the utilization of our oil resources,” Abi Khalil added, warning that “Lebanon will use all means possible to protect its petroleum activities.”
“Lebanon had informed the U.N. of the coordinates of its maritime borders, even before Israel’s demarcation of its borders,” the minister went on to say, noting that “any objection against our maritime borders will remain on paper and no one will be able to implement it in reality.”
Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf meanwhile underlined that “the whole of Lebanon is clinging to its rights and it will defend its resources collectively.”
“Lebanon does not bow to the approach of intimidation and threats, and we affirm its sovereignty over its land, waters and oil resources, including Block 9,” Sarraf added.
Earlier in the day, Lieberman described as “very provocative” Lebanon’s tender on exploring gas in Block 9. This gas field “is by all accounts ours,” the Israeli minister said.
Lebanon in December approved a bid for offshore oil and gas exploration off its Mediterranean coast — a vision for years hampered by political instability and domestic wrangling.
That deal was awarded to the only bidder, an international consortium including France’s Total and Russia’s Novatek.
Lebanese officials say the country will start exploratory offshore drilling in 2019.
A major finding in Lebanon’s southernmost waters could raise the possibility of a dispute with Israel, which is developing a number of offshore gas deposits, with one large field, Tamar, already producing gas, and the larger Leviathan field set to go online next year.
There are over 800 square kilometers of waters claimed by Lebanon and Israel, which are technically in a state of conflict. Israel and Hizbullah fought a fierce, monthlong war in 2006.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/241600-lebanese-ministers-react-to-lieberman-s-remarks-on-gas-block