Report: Berri-Aoun End their Oil Dispute as Cabinet to Approve Decrees
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Speaker Nabih Berri and Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun have resolved their dispute over the oil file, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Saturday.
It said that the two sides agreed to issue contracts over the oil fields adjacent to the Israeli blocks after the speaker had warned that the neighboring state could exploit Lebanon's offshore wealth.
The disagreements were over the designation of blocks open for bidding and the terms of a draft exploration agreement.
Berri was seeking to open all the blocks for bidding, while former Energy Minister Jebran Bassil sought to open them in installments.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian hoped that the cabinet's signing of the oil decrees would serve as “gift” to the Lebanese people in 2015.
Once signed, Lebanon can go ahead and begin exploring and drilling for oil and gas in its offshore fields.
Petroleum expert Rabih Yaghi told the daily that should Lebanon commence practical steps in oil drilling and exploration, it would be able to make gains from this wealth in at least seven to eight years.
Israel has already started its exploration as has Cyprus and even Syria, in spite of its conflict, noted the daily.
Lebanon and Israel are at loggerheads over the 850 kilometers of territorial water that each claims as part of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Earlier this week, Berri had said that the cabinet is expected to discuss soon oil exploration decrees that have been left in the government's drawers over political differences.
The speaker is spearheading a campaign to revive the oil exploration file in Lebanon after accusing Israel of “stealing” Lebanon's offshore gas.
He has also been calling for the demarcation of the southern territorial waters.
M.T.
D.A.
27 December 2014, 11:02
01
Gma: You get them chunks in the south and I gets the chunks in batroun, deal?
Nb: Yup deal!
dispute over!
27 December 2014, 11:15
00
I wish you peace and tranquility dear flamethrower, RIP always
27 December 2014, 12:53
01
thanks to jibran bassil who discovered oil and gas off the shores of Lebanon, we will enjoy years of prosperity and wealth and will be able to buy weapons for the resistance
27 December 2014, 13:22
11
Meanwhile, the oilprice has plummeted by more than 50%. Dont expect the oil companies to overbid for the right to explore blocks. The era of USD 100 per barrel is well and truly over. We missed out.
27 December 2014, 13:27
11
Clear as light that Caporal is corrupt. With him all the dirt of inner circle; from imbassil, to simon, to salim, and salim, to ibrahim, alain, nabil, pierre, ....
To Caporal folowers...please do not try to explain...you are responsible too for all this dirt.
27 December 2014, 13:29
22
Aha, Berri Ali Baba has managed to get aboard one more thief. In any case it wasn't expected to be a difficult ploy, Berri Baba knows who is buyable and who is not. Aoun is the worst case scenario where it doesn't take much to buy him. Lebanon's last riches and resources now are seemingly going into the hands of the thieves, and the Lebanese stand by in total inaction. So long as we still look up to these so-called leaders, so long we will miss on our rights.
27 December 2014, 17:37
12
The two biggest thieves fighting over Lebanon's greatest prize... What was that Flamey, 14 March were blocking oil legislation? Funny... just remember Berri is no less a thief than Sanioura, and Berri hates Aoun no less than Geagea. Funny how you always defend Amal and Hezbollah who just use Aoun's seats to take over this country...
27 December 2014, 18:06
00
He's away, but don't worry the moment he gets back they will all be back as well just like magic.
27 December 2014, 18:27
11
Gift? To whom. The fact that they may have made a deal, means that they have agreed how to share what they plan on stealing from the Lebanese people and their government. The gift is to themselves. The giver, as usual is Lebanon who gives without consent, but by the will of those who continue to rob her.
