Hof Impressed with Lebanon’s Thorough Evaluation of Oil and Gas File
U.S. State Department special coordinator on Middle East affairs Frederick Hof’s brief visit to Lebanon focused on Lebanon’s oil and gas wealth and its attempts to drill for them in the Mediterranean, political sources told the Central News Agency on Friday.
They added that he was impressed by Lebanon’s thorough evaluation of the file, especially the army’s assessment of the issue, which it supported with all the necessary documents.
Hof has held talks during his visit with Speaker Nabih Berri and the army command on this matter.
Parliament had approved in 2010 a law that allows the country to explore its offshore oil and gas wealth.
In July 2011, a dispute erupted between Lebanon and Israel over the maritime borders between the two countries.
Israel had recently announced that it had reached an agreement with Cyprus to excavate for oil in the Mediterranean.
Hof had encouraged Lebanon to reach a solution to its dispute with Israel over the maritime border.
The sources said that the official “will leave for Israel with a very positive impression from the talks he had in Lebanon.”
He is due to discuss the oil and gas wealth with Israeli officials.
The issue will also be followed up through Lebanese and American diplomatic channels.
The Central News Agency revealed that concerned Lebanese authorities had asked that the United Nations request the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon’s assistance in demarcating the maritime border as it had with the Blue Line.
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