Sources inform "Globes" that Lebanon has asked the UN to set the border of its economic waters with Israel. The request comes after the continuing dispute with Israel following the discovery of recent gas fields and against the backdrop of internal disputes in Lebanon itself.
Israel believes that even according to Lebanese claims the border of the economic waters between the two countries runs north of the Tamar and Dalit fields and the Leviathan structure. In a worst case scenario, the official Lebanese claim includes the northern margins of the Alon license to the north of Tamar.
Israel and Lebanon are officially in a state of war and therefore there is no option of an agreed arbitrator setting the border between them. However, international jurists specializing in border disputes say that there is a case for consulting the UN because the UN has served as an arbitrator in the land border between Israel and Lebanon after the IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. The present "blue line" is not recognized by Hezbollah, which wants Lebanese sovereignty over the Har Dov region.
The latest Lebanese initiative follows reports that Israel and Cyprus have reached an agreement over the border of their economic waters. The agreement would have direct ramifications for Lebanon which also has overlap in the same area. The Israel Cyprus agreement was reportedly signed in the summer but the two countries have declined to admit its existence.
Israel is also working towards an Economic Waters Law that would bring about a declaration of a unique economic area up to Israel's marine border with Cyprus.
If the UN accepts Lebanon's request, the subject will be debated in the Security Council or another UN body authorized to make a decision. The belief is that in such a case then the UN will ask the two sides to find an arbitrator or will act as one itself as happened in 2000.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 12, 2010
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010