After the Arrival of the Exploration Ship at Karish: Invitation to Hochstein in Beirut

The media office of the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued the following statement: In light of the developments regarding the maritime movements of the LNG production unit ship Energean Power off the disputed maritime area in southern Lebanon, President Michel Aoun discussed with Prime Minister Najib Mikati this morning the necessary steps to counter attempts by the Israeli enemy to escalate tensions along the southern maritime border. The President and the Prime Minister agreed to invite American mediator Amos Hochstein to Beirut to discuss the completion of negotiations for demarcating the southern maritime borders and to work towards concluding it as quickly as possible, in order to prevent any escalation that would undermine the stability of the region. It was also decided to initiate a series of diplomatic communications with major countries and the United Nations to explain Lebanon's position and to reaffirm its commitment to its rights and maritime wealth. They consider that any exploratory, drilling, or extraction activities by Israel in the disputed areas constitute a provocation and an act of aggression that threatens international peace and security, and obstruct negotiations regarding the maritime borders, which are mediated by the U.S. and sponsored by the United Nations, as stated in Lebanon's official correspondence to the UN.