Mansour: We Will Prove to World that Israel is Taking our Share of Offshore Wealth

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour accused Israel of seeking to take Lebanon's share of its offshore gas and oil wealth, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Friday.

He told the daily: “We will prove to the world that the Israelis are taking our offshore wealth.”

He stressed that Lebanon will resort to diplomatic and international laws to demonstrate Israel's violations, adding: “We will not abandon our rights.”

“The Israeli threats against Lebanon are useless,” he declared.

Moreover, Mansour said that Lebanon has been monitoring the oil and gas file ever since the offshore reserves were discovered.

“We will demonstrate our claim to this wealth through international legal means,” he stated.

On Tuesday, caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil lashed out at Israel, considering that it cannot prevent Lebanon from protecting its oil reserves as he accused it of digging a well 5 kilometers from Lebanese offshore reserves.

Lebanon and Israel are bickering over a zone that consists of about 854 square kilometers and suspected energy reserves there could generate billions of dollars.

Bassil had previously warned in July that Israel’s discovery of a new offshore gas field near Lebanese territorial waters means the Jewish state could siphon some of Lebanon’s crude oil.

In March 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil and a mean of 34.5 trillion cubic meters of recoverable gas in the Levant Basin in the eastern Mediterranean, which includes the territorial waters of Lebanon, Israel, Syria and Cyprus.

Lebanon has been slow to exploit its maritime resources compared with other eastern Mediterranean countries. Israel, Cyprus and Turkey are all much more advanced in drilling for oil and gas.

The formation of the Petroleum Authority in November was the first major step in future oil exploration since parliament passed a law in 2011 setting Lebanon's maritime boundary and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The country will witness the first oil exploration process in 2015 and it will take a year to enter the production stage.

Comments 27
Thumb general_puppet 04 October 2013, 09:04

Good go ahead an prove it... you and the little sneak thief keep talking in riddles, you have evidence take it to the UN. Or is this like Aoun's proof of government corrupt that we will have to wait until the books come out to see it?

The Stooges crying the loudest are the ones planing to steal as much of the oil/gas wealth as they can. I hope there is a very different group of politicians in place if and when Lebanon starts exploiting these resources, or the people and the country will not see any of the benefits.

Missing sanctify 04 October 2013, 09:59

Are you pro-Lebanon or anti M8?
If a person is trying to defend Lebanon's right, what difference does it make which party does he/she belongs to?
It's a sad symptom that is embedded in both M8 and M14 supporters. It's so severe that neither is able to see beyond the interests of one's own and the hatred towards the other.
In any case, I don't think that any M8 or M14 supporter will even understand this message.

Thumb _mowaten_ 04 October 2013, 11:51

he is anti-lebanon, it's clear in every one of his comments

Thumb _mowaten_ 04 October 2013, 13:16

keep barking you israeli shill. the more you hate me the better i feel.

and seriously, "thankyou +1"? you sound more retarded every day.

Thumb general_puppet 05 October 2013, 09:09

sanctify, Mansour is defending Lebanon's rights?... don't make laugh, this is the usual BS rhetoric, there is no evidence. and I said "I hope there is a different group of politicians in place" all of them.

Thumb general_puppet 05 October 2013, 09:13

According to the number 1 Iranian cheerleader being anti Assad/Hizbullah (they are the something) is being anti Lebanon, who told you that the ayatollah?

Thumb lebnanfirst 04 October 2013, 10:06

All this guy is good at is talking in support of HA and whining about Israel and not one iota of doing anything constructive to avert any of the crisis that are besetting our Lebanon. What did we Lebanese ever do to deserve such a decrepit minister, government and all this miserable political class.

Default-user-icon fascination (Guest) 04 October 2013, 10:10

mr foreign minister... why dont u stop your hezbolah/iran/assad-syria imaginary fascination and worship of israel and start thinking about lebanon, its refugees, and its development among the world community

Thumb Roaring-FlameThrower 04 October 2013, 10:40

God Bless The Islamic Secular Resistance and its appointee General Abbas Ibrahim of the General Security for banning the movie "I Offered You Pleasure" at the Beirut International Film Festival due to its offensive nature against the faith of the resistance. Pleasure Marriages among Shias and warriors do not exist and this film by Farah Shaer is a cheap attempt by Bandar and Gaegae to discredit the resistance and its environment. The resistance and its warriors do not believe in Holy Sex Wars nor do they encourage sex out of Holy wedlock. The resistance and the Islamic Republic of Iran believe in freedom of expression. President Rouhani just promised the iranians easy access to the internet and youtube, and movie theaters equipped with popcorn machines and candy bars are now open in Tehran to the public for the first time since the islamic revolution. God Bless democracy and the resistance. Forget the Oil now....:)

Missing phalangistes 04 October 2013, 15:04

If 5% of our politicians were as patriotic and efficient as the most incompetant israelian politicalfigure, Lebanon would be in a better shape. till then, i can only see another internal lebanese war because of ONE reason: who will steal the cash of the Lebanese oil. Israel must be laughing at us so much and in a way i understand them

Default-user-icon A.G (Guest) 04 October 2013, 15:07

beyond this argument of Israel stealing our wealth? will drilling oil be good for the security of our country? Lets say we do drill this oil. whats to keep people, gang leaders from stealing our wealth in these major phases of corruption?...what will be left for Lebanon when the oil wells are dried up. Qatar, has its government investing massively in different businesses sectors around the world....trying to keep a steady income atleast not entirely on oil.

Thumb -.-.wolf-.-. 04 October 2013, 15:42

The world already knows it :
A) Shebaa farms ...Stolen from Lebanon !
B) Golan Heights ...Stolen from Syria !
C) 25% of land Stolen from the pre1967 borders of the West Bank !
D) More land stolen from the West Bank to build " Illegal Settlements "
E) Building a 3000 plus km long of a Prison Wall " Inside the West Bank " territory
F) Stealing & withholding taxes that belong to the Palestinians
G) Stealing & withholding food donations for Palestinians
H) Stealing & withholding wages on Palestinian Labour as well as treating them as " Slave Labour "
I) Violating Airspace & Maritime borders against its neighbours such as Lebanon , Syria , Iraq
J) Bombing & Attacking its Neighbours ( Lebanon , Syria & Iraq on regular basis without any regards to " International Law " on regular basis
With all of the above facts , Israel is obviously STEALING & SYPHONING our Oil & Gas Resources , what other more proof does the world need !
Signed WOLF !

Missing phillipo 04 October 2013, 19:16

Wolf you are really dreaming in your cuckoo land.
A - UN States specifically that Shebaa is Syria territory.
B - "Stolen"? Who attacked in 1967 Israel or Syria?
C & D - Stolen from whom? The West Bank was part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 1948 to 1967, but then relinquished all title to it.
E - 3000 kms ? - That is enough from Israel to Western Europe.
I - Nice to know that Iraq is a neightbour of Israel
J - When exactly was the last time Israel bombed or attacked Lebanon except in retaliation to Hizballah attacks on Israel.
EXACTLY what proof do you have of Israel syphoning off Lebanese Oil and Gas Resources?

Default-user-icon zakiakal (Guest) 04 October 2013, 20:15

habibi sheb3a is lebanese by un
recheck your sources, and I mean other than israeli media and sources

Default-user-icon blabla (Guest) 04 October 2013, 15:48

he technically can't prove anything and what is the benefit of proving it! all we have to do is start exploiting this oil the same manner israel is doing it.. shu hal è rr

Default-user-icon blabla (Guest) 04 October 2013, 15:49

he technically can't prove anything and what is the benefit of proving it! all we have to do is start exploiting this oil the same manner israel is doing it.. shu hal è rr

Default-user-icon Alex (Guest) 04 October 2013, 15:59

Israel is not your enemy. Syria and Iran are our enemies. Lebnon's was the Paris of the Middle East. Throw out Hezballa and you will become a great nation again. Live in Peace with the Jews. They are your brothers, having the same ancestry from Abraham our father and founder of our faiths in the one true and the Arabic and Hebrew people.

Default-user-icon Illusionist (Guest) 04 October 2013, 16:20

@ Southern and Mowaten, its a good thing to defend lebanon against the oppressorS, which means Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, US, or maybe even half of the world. We have no friends. Only masters. But lets get back to the point, im dont need to tell all of you my political affiliations again, doesnt matter i believe in no one in Lebanon anyways. Its been almost 3 years that the actual governement is here, and no clue about the oil , gaz or plutonium whatever we have under the sea. Can't you all see whats happening? blaming israel has always been the key to excuse our failures! it is true the zionist state is no good to us or even neighbours around us, but we could have done so much we dont need their permission! if mansour or any state man says their threats have no effect, then what have you been doing for almost 3 years giving excuses? Go dig already!

Default-user-icon Illusionist (Guest) 04 October 2013, 16:27

@ Southern and Mowaten, im going to tell you the real problem. Its not israel, its not syria, its not the US or even aliens, The true problem is the lebanese people, keeping all those sneaky, filthy politicians that are , anyways, the reflections of 80% of our disgusting today lebanese society. Politicians have been " fighting" over quotas, pourcentages, thats the only reason why they didnt start drilling.... they all want a piece of this huge cake. And if some will tell me its Israel, then why Hezbollah and Mansour and all those superheroes that are never scared didnt start taking responsibilities and drill? they took responsibility of going to war in 2006, they took responsibility of going to war in syria, but they wouldnt take it again to give us the right to drain our oil and gaz? Come on. Everyone is working for themselves and own interests. .

Default-user-icon Illusionist (Guest) 04 October 2013, 16:27

Once they all have their part, they drill it in secret, or even have foreign companies doing it, then take the money, screw us all, and say their wasnt that much oil and it would be costly to drill it. We all know the lebanese way. And even if Israel didnt exist or ceased to, they would blame it on Poseidon. Wait and See, and if ur smart, get the **** off this country and try to come back changed to change the people

Missing peace 04 October 2013, 18:07

He told the daily: “We will prove to the world that the Israelis are taking our offshore wealth.”
ok prove but as anonyme rightly said prove also that chebaa is lebanese so it falls under UN425 and the answer is a car ride away to your master bashar!!!!

Default-user-icon allawatn2ikaz (Guest) 04 October 2013, 20:20

yeah, lol.

Actually, no. He said they will prove it. Challenging and criticizing them to do what they already said they'd do is a bit... you know. I'm glad all of you criticizing this are feeling smart though, a sensation I'm sure you lack, e.g. samy peace gb14 etc rou7 l3ab

Missing phillipo 04 October 2013, 18:10

For years the UN has declared that the Shebaa Farms are Syrian territory.
Naturally Hizballah can not accept this decision otherwise it would negate its right to exist, as the leadership has claimed on countless occasions that it is there solely for the purpose of freeing every single cm of Lebanese territory from Israeli "occupation".
I for one do not believe that even with a declaration by Syria (who would legalise it as most of the world no longer recognises Assad?) that Shebaa is Lebanese territory, and Israeli withdraws would HA lay down its arms. Their claim is just a ruse to pull the wool over the eyes of the Lebanese Government and people.

Default-user-icon zakial (Guest) 04 October 2013, 20:14

lol talk about a red herring

what do you have to say about israel taking our oil and gas???? No comment there??? Israel would never do it you'd argue?? are you allowed to drive?

Default-user-icon zakizayikal (Guest) 04 October 2013, 20:16

blablabla more senile rambling fom ghaby14

either you're too young to be on this forum or too old to drive, either case, shoo

Thumb Elemental 05 October 2013, 06:00

lol @ mansour

Default-user-icon Loushkan Mombazio (Guest) 05 October 2013, 07:36

What world? The one that does not care?