Positive data emerging from the maritime boundary agreement between Lebanon and Israel suggest that matters are moving towards their anticipated conclusions in the coming days, likely before the end of the current presidential term later this month. The signing of the agreement is set to take place at the headquarters of the international forces in Naqoura after the formation of the authorized military delegation for the process. This raises the question of how to preserve the national wealth that Lebanon will be able to obtain should it start extracting the promised quantities from the numerous Lebanese fields extending along the coast from south to north, particularly if the ruling system remains in control of the country's levers in the coming periods. There are whispers about the establishment of fictitious companies today to prepare for their indirect involvement in the process for the personal profit of some influential figures and officials.
In response, member of the Strong Republic bloc and economic expert, MP Razi Al-Haj, stated to "Al-Markazia": "Governance is the cornerstone of this file and its primary starting point, especially since it requires the transparency that should govern the entire oil sector regardless of the quantity and quality of the product." He continues: "It is essential and important to initially establish the national oil and gas company to operate as a consortium with the right to invest, in addition to establishing a sovereign fund with clear criteria for exploiting and investing this wealth, which belongs to the Lebanese people. It is crucial to ensure that the state and its treasury benefit from the revenues of the investment, preventing them from reaching into these revenues to avoid repeating the waste of billions and the theft of deposits." He concludes by emphasizing that the entire process must be accompanied from start to finish by a package of laws approved by the parliamentary council, ensuring their mandatory implementation.
