Lebanon says it will get final draft of maritime border demarcation proposal within hours

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun said on Sunday that he will be sent a final draft of a proposal to demarcate Lebanon's maritime border with long-time foe Israel within hours.

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein has drawn up the final text.

In a statement, the Lebanese presidency said Beirut will study the final text and take "the suitable decision".

مكتب الاعلام في رئاسة الجمهورية: الرئيس عون تلقى اتصالا من هوكشتاين اطلعه خلاله على النتائج الاخيرة للاتصالات حول ترسيم الحدود البحرية مؤكدا ان جولات النقاش خُتمت وتم تحديد الملاحظات وسيرسل الصيغة النهائية للاقتراح خلال الساعات القليلة المقبلة

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) October 9, 2022

Last week, Israel rejected revisions to a draft agreement on the demarcation of the two countries' maritime borders at a critical phase of negotiations.

Israel says the Karish field in the eastern Mediterranean is located entirely within its exclusive economic zone, but Lebanon insists that part of the field falls within its own waters.

(Reuters & agencies)