Lebanon warns Israel that any activity by the hydrocarbon company Energean in the disputed maritime zone between Lebanon and Israel would be a “hostile provocative act”.

After consulting with the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, made the announcement, Euronews reports.

The Lebanese President’s statement was accompanied by information transmitted by Lebanese media that a vessel of Energean – a gas company with Greek interests – based in Israel, entered the sea area off the coast of South Lebanon, in the Karish field. 

Israel claims that this field is located within its own EEZ and that it has given permission to this company for its exploitation.

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to resolve the dispute and delimit their EEZs with the encouragement of the UN and the US have been deadlocked for years.

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