UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams: Lebanon has every right to benefit from any natural resources that may be found in the waters off its coast.
The UN may be changing its position with regard to delineating Lebanon's maritime border. After rejecting Lebanon's request to help it protect its rights in Israel's natural gas wells, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said yesterday, "Lebanon has every right to benefit from any natural resources that may be found in the waters off its coast."
Last week, Lebanon asked the UN to delineate its maritime border with Israel in the oil and gas wells. Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Shami asked the UN to protect the country's territorial rights in the Middle East in areas where Israel plans to drill for oil and gas. In a letter to a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Shami said, "We request you to do everything possible to ensure Israel does not exploit Lebanon's hydrocarbon resources."
In response, UN spokesman Martin Nesirsky said that the UN would not intervene in the gas dispute between Israel and Lebanon. He said that mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) did not include delineating maritime borders. "Security Council Resolution 1701 does not include delineating the maritime border.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 11, 2011
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