Lebanon: Demarcation with Israel Begins at Rosh Hanikra Grottoes

The Lebanese Army announced today, Saturday, that demarcation of the maritime borders between Lebanon and Israel must start from “Rosh Hanikra Grottoes” without trespassing the coastal islands of Palestine.

“In fulfillment of the President Michel Aoun’s directives, the Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun met in his office, in Yarzeh, with the delegation in charge of the demarcating the borders,” Lebanese Army said in a statement on Twitter.

"During the meeting, the Army Commander gave the basic directives to begin the negotiation process which aims at demarcating the maritime borders.”

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“The demarcation shall start from the line at the tip of  “Rosh Hanikra Grottoes” by land and extends by sea according to the midline technique without trespassing the coastal islands of conquered Palestine based on a study prepared by the Army Command in accordance with international laws,” they added.

The talks between the two countries will begin next Wednesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura.

Last Thursday, both sides agreed to a framework for U.S. mediated talks aimed at ending a long-running dispute along the border between them.

Washington welcomed what it called a "historic agreement" following almost three years of mediation.

Lebanon is locked in a conflict with Israel over 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of the Mediterranean Sea known as Block No. 9, which is rich in oil and gas.