Following reports of the entry of the LNG production and storage ship ENERGEAN POWER into the disputed area in the southern maritime border, President Michel Aoun conducted communications with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and several concerned officials to discuss these developments. He requested the military leadership to provide him with accurate and official information to take appropriate action, noting that negotiations for maritime boundary delimitation are still ongoing. Therefore, any action or activity in the disputed area constitutes provocation and a hostile act.
It is worth mentioning that Lebanon submitted a letter to the United Nations weeks ago, asserting its commitment to its maritime rights and wealth, and stating that the "Karish" field lies within the disputed area. This letter was circulated to all members of the Security Council as a document of the council under the number S/2022/84 dated February 2, 2022, and was published in accordance with the norms. In the letter, Lebanon requested the Security Council to prevent Israel from conducting any exploration in the disputed areas to avoid actions that could pose a threat to international peace and security. The letter also emphasized that Lebanon still hopes for the success of the mediation efforts by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein to reach a negotiated solution to the maritime border issue under the auspices of the United Nations.
