Berri Warns Israel 'Stealing' Lebanon's Gas, Nazarian Calls for Action
Speaker Nabih Berri has reiterated that Israel was “stealing” Lebanon's natural gas through a pipeline lying in its territorial waters despite a claim made by Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian that he did not have information about the alleged aggression.
Berri told As Safir daily published on Thursday that he has “evidence” condemning Israel.
The Jewish state is stealing huge amounts of Lebanese natural gas through a pipeline that runs along Lebanon's territorial waters, he said.
Berri warned that he would soon divulge the information he has. “It is unacceptable for Israel to keep its aggression on Lebanese sovereignty and national wealth,” he said.
The speaker vowed to pressure the government in January to consider the oil file a priority.
He also criticized a ministerial committee formed by Prime Minister Tammam Salam to follow up the case, saying it hasn't done enough.
When asked by As Safir about Berri's claims, Nazarian said he did not have such information. “I don't know how and from where he got them.”
But Nazarian promised to inquire Berri about the matter. “If there was real evidence that Israel is stealing gas, then Lebanon should move to protect its rights.”
The minister stressed that the cabinet has so far failed to discuss two oil exploration bills after the ministerial committee's members expressed reservations on several of their clauses.
“I am still waiting for the bills to be placed on the (cabinet) agenda,” he told As Safir.
He warned that Lebanon would miss the oil exploration chance if the authorities did not take any action.
Last August, the government postponed for the fifth time the first round of licensing for gas exploration over a political dispute.
The disagreements were over the designation of blocks open for bidding and the terms of a draft exploration agreement.
Highly-informed sources told As Safir that Israel has lately agreed to supply gas to Egypt and Jordan – two Arab countries which could have been the receivers of Lebanese offshore gas.
The daily quoted several Egyptian and Jordanian officials as asking Lebanese leaders on when Lebanon would start licensing and production.
But they have never received answers and the opportunity was lost, it said.
G.K.
H.K.
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