Hochstein says border deal to be signed Thursday
Lebanon and Israel will sign a U.S.-brokered maritime border demarcation deal on Thursday, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein said.
"We're going to have a deal," Hochstein told CNN, adding that it will "hopefully" be signed this Thursday.
"Well, I think that this is a really great development, a historic agreement between two enemy countries," Hochstein added.
Officials from the two sides will ink the deal in separate locations this week.
It will go into force as soon as the United States sends notice confirming it has received from Lebanon and Israel their separate approvals.
The two sides will then deposit maritime border coordinates with the United Nations.
Under the deal, Israel has full rights over the Karish gas field, which is expected to start gas production within weeks.
Lebanon will have full rights to operate and explore the so-called Qana reservoir, parts of which allegedly fall in Israel's territorial waters, with Israel receiving some revenues.
Right-wing opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who could return as premier following Israel's vote, has warned he will not be bound by the terms of a deal with Lebanon.
Source: Naharnet
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