Govt. Approves Oil Authority Plan, Calls for Keeping Army Away from Political Bickering

The cabinet on Wednesday approved the appointment of the six members of the authority tasked with administrating the oil sector.

During a session at the Grand Serail, the cabinet also decided to accept military vehicles and equipment donated to the Internal Security Forces by the U.S. embassy, and called for “keeping the army away from political bickering,” Information Minister Walid al-Daouq announced.

Speaker Nabih Berri told An Nahar newspaper in remarks published Wednesday that “it is unacceptable to waste our oil and gas natural resources while Israel is exerting efforts to benefit from them.”

“If the cabinet remained at a standstill I will then take the necessary measure,” he warned.

He revealed that several foreign companies expressed readiness to begin oil exploration procedures.

Berri had continuously threatened to debrief the cabinet if it didn’t carry out its tasks regarding Lebanon’s offshore oil wealth project.

As Safir newspaper reported that the cabinet during its session at the Grand Serail would issue a decree concerning the oil authority members after officials held intensive contacts in an attempt to resolve the obstacles blocking the matter.

In January, the cabinet approved the oil and gas decrees after lengthy discussion over who should administer the tender and oil and gas exploration in Lebanon’s offshore territorial borders.

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.

The Israeli map conflicts with Lebanon's proposed maritime border. Lebanon argues its map is in line with an armistice accord drawn up in 1949, an agreement which is not contested by Israel.