Bayram says Hizbullah practicing 'positive silence' in offshore gas row

Caretaker Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram on Monday announced that Hizbullah is practicing “positive silence” regarding the Lebanon-Israel row over offshore gas drilling.

“The resistance is practicing positive silence and the Lebanese stance must remain firm,” Bayram, who is close to Hizbullah, told al-Jadeed TV.

“President (Michel) Aoun knows very well how to act in these situations and he has the sufficient wisdom,” Bayram added, describing the stances of Aoun and caretaker PM Najib Miqati as “advanced.”

“The resistance does not want to impose the war and peace decision; it is the enemy that is rather imposing it and the resistance will act according to the state’s decision and orientations,” Bayram went on to say.

“We don’t want war and we don’t wish for it, but as Lebanese we have all agreed that we have maritime rights and resources and the drums of war would beat according to the Israeli enemy’s actions,” the minister added, noting that “Lebanon possesses a very strong card that says that the enemy cannot extract its oil as long as we haven’t done the same.”

As for Washington’s mediation, Bayram said his party “does not trust American mediations,” because “they have always been in Israel’s favor.”

The minister also noted that Hizbullah has learned that Aoun “has asked the Army Command to clarify where the Greek ship will be positioned in order to act accordingly.”

The remarks come after media reports said Sunday that the Greek-owned Energean Power FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit) had crossed the so-called offshore Line 29 that is disputed by Lebanon.