Egypt welcomes maritime border deal between Lebanon, Israel

CAIRO - 12 October 2022: Egypt has welcomed a maritime border deal reached by Lebanon and Israel Tuesday.

A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday expressed hope that the agreement would enable Lebanon to benefit from its resources to improve economic conditions and strengthen cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

The statement voiced Egypt's unwavering support for the stability and sovereignty of Lebanon to meet the aspirations of the brotherly Lebanese people.

According to the deal, Israel and Lebanon agreed to establish a permanent maritime border between them.

The deal would allow the neighbours, which remain formally at war, to exploit natural gas fields under the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid said it would strengthen its security and inject billions into its economy.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun described the terms as "satisfactory".

Greece also welcomes the agreement between Israel and Lebanon on the delimitation of their maritime zones, brokered by the efforts of the United States and especially of Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein,” Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA) reported Wednesday quoting a statement by the Greek Foreign Ministry.

“This agreement will contribute to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is already facing a series of challenges,” the statement read.

“It indicates that resolving differences between countries in terms of the delimitation of maritime zones is possible only by respecting international law. Therefore, it is an example which all the countries of the region should follow,” it added.