Lebanon says maritime deal 'make or break' after Israel snubs request for changes
Lebanese-Israeli border
Lebanon saidUS-brokered talks to demarcate itsmaritimeborder with longtime foeIsraelwere at a "make or break" point on Thursday afterIsraelrejectedrevisionsto a draftdealrequested by Beirut, throwing years of diplomatic efforts into doubt.
The draft, which has not been made public, had a warm preliminary reception from theIsraeli andLebanesegovernments. But amid domestic opposition in both countries, Lebanon on Tuesday sought amendments from theUSenvoy.
On Thursday,Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid "was updated on the details of the substantial changes Lebanon is seeking to make and instructed the negotiating team to reject them", anIsraeli official said.
A spokesperson for theUSembassy in Jerusalem said the parties were "at a critical stage in the negotiations and the gaps have narrowed."
According toIsraeli media, a main sticking point was over recognition of a line of demarcation buoysIsraelhas strung out to sea from its coast. Lebanon worries about any action that may connote formal acceptance of a shared land border.
Lebanon - which has never recognized the state ofIsrael, with any broader peacedealbeyond the horizon - has also saidIsraelwill earn no royalties from theLebaneseshare of gas in the Qana prospect.
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TopLebanesenegotiator Elias Bou Saab told Reuters on Thursday that he would only respond to official statements and not to media reports onIsrael's stance.
He said thedeal"is 90 per centdone but the remaining 10 per centcould make it or break it," adding that he was in constant contact withUSmediator Amos Hochstein.
GAS RIG PLAN
Israelhas been preparing to activate a gas rig, Karish, which is outside Qana. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah made veiled threats about Karish that lent urgency to the talks.
Israelpreviously presented the draftdealwith Lebanon, if finalised, as securing Karish. But on Thursday, it changed tack.
Israelis now pressing ahead with Karish, regardless of progress or no progress in the talks, whereas before it cast a successfuldealas a means of securing Karish.
"Israelwill produce gas from the Karish rig as soon as it is possible to do so," theIsraeli official said, adding that negotiations will "stop immediately" in the face of any threats.
Defence Minister Benny Gantz further hardened the tone, saying in a speech that "Lebanon will bear a heavy military price" if Hezbollah attacks, and he put forces on alert.
There was no immediateresponse from Hezbollah.
