Maritime border issue to go to New York

The Special Coordinator of the United Nations in Lebanon, Michael Williams, has announced that he will take Lebanon’s issue of maritime border demarcation to New York. He will also renew the international forces by a full year, in relation to the request of Lebanon to demarcate the economic maritime borders between Lebanon and Israel. Williams expressed his satisfaction to accompany the Prime Minister Najib Mikati in his visit to Naqoura on Saturday to meet with UNIFIL. This visit formed part of an important declaration by the new government to support for UNIFIL and resolution 1701. He stressed that Lebanon should have access to its natural resources and should take advantage of them. Williams said after his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Adnan Al-Mansour, "A good meeting was held with Minister Mansour, and we told him that we will go to New York next Thursday to participate in the third UN Security Council meeting next Tuesday to discuss the report on resolution 1701. I warmly welcome the personal commitment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the new government to this resolution." With regards to the new developments in report sixteen, and the implementation of resolution 1701, he said: “The report shows that the situation has prevailed for the past four months. We have adduced positives that have contributed towards maintaining the stability in general. However, we have also reported emerging problems and ways to address them. The last four months have been difficult due to the absence of a government in Lebanon, but now there is a government and it is committed to resolution 1701." Williams indicated that Mansour had raised the issue of maritime borders, stating: “We have taken note of Lebanon's apprehension, and we would like to help if we can. I will take this subject with me to New York. It is not an unusual situation, as in several countries around the world differences have occurred between countries with regards to maritime borders. Minister Mansour reminded me that the dispute between Iran and Qatar over maritime borders was resolved." He stressed that Lebanon should have access to its natural resources and take advantage of them, and said he would like to see a return to the "International Law of the Sea", with respect to prospecting and exportation fully implemented, and the coming of oil companies to Lebanon." He asked the British Ambassador two days ago about the possibility of a request from the European Union nations to supervise the demarcation of the maritime borders, with Cyprus becoming a member of the Union, and whether this is possible through UNIFIL, or any organ of the United Nations. His response was: "I believe that this is not possible through UNIFIL. The United Nations will accept any order, provided that the two countries agree on it." As for the possibility of taking any steps in this matter, he said: "We will see what will be reached in the discussions in New York." On the subject of whether or not there were fears that the new government would not apply resolution 1757 of the International Tribunal, he noted that the topic had been discussed several times with the new government, and that President Mikati is clear about all the resolutions related to Lebanon.