Hof Meets Berri, Miqati, Encourages Lebanon to Resolve Maritime Border Dispute

U.S. Special Coordinator for Regional Affairs Frederic Hof visited Lebanon on Monday where he held talks with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati and other senior government officials, announced the U.S. Embassy in a statement.

He renewed his country’s commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon, encouraging it to continue its efforts to resolve the dispute over its maritime boundaries.

Furthermore, he supported Lebanon’s development of offshore oil and gas reserves in a manner that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity, said the statement.

The dispute had emerged between Lebanon and Israel after the discovery of oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean.

Israel had submitted to the United Nations maps on its Exclusive Economic Zone, which conflicts with maps Lebanon had drawn up.

Lebanon's proposed borders give the Jewish state less territorial waters and was submitted to the U.N. in 2011.

Beirut argues its map is in line with an armistice accord drawn up in 1949, an agreement which is not contested by Israel.