Morocco announces support to US-led deal on Israel-Lebanon maritime borders

Morocco welcomed a US-led deal to set Israel-Lebanon maritime borders to resolve a long-standing dispute between the two nations, reported Morocco World News (MWN).

Diplomatic sources, reported to the Moroccan media, said Rabat believes that US efforts will lead to "achieving major steps in demarcating the maritime borders between Israel and Lebanon, contributing to achieve stability in the region and to guarantee the wellbeing of its peoples."

Over the weekend, the US envoy Amos Hochstein delivered the draft agreement, which aims to settle competing claims over offshore gas fields, to Lebanese and Israeli officials.

Washington's offer has not been made public yet, but it has hinted at prospects for a deal that could help explore potential gas wealth in the debt-ridden country.

The US proposal was also welcomed by Israel and Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese Shia movement that considers Israel its arch-enemy.

On Tuesday, Lebanon submitted to the US ambassador in Lebanon a list of changes Beirut would like to see the proposal.

However, Elias Bou Saab, deputy parliament speaker who is tasked by President Michel Aoun to oversee the US-mediated negotiations, said he does not think the proposed changes would derail the deal.

Lebanon and Israel have no diplomatic relations and their land border is patrolled by the United Nations.

Two years ago, Beirut and Tel Aviv reopened negotiations on their maritime border, though the process was stalled by Lebanon’s demand that the map used by the UN in the talks be modified.

Progress resumed after Lebanon appeared to change its position on the Karish natural gas field, which Israel claims as its territory and is not open to negotiation.

Since normalising ties with Israel in 2020, Rabat has become an outspoken ally of Tel Aviv in the Middle East and North African region.

In July, Rabat reportedly played a key role in facilitating dialogue on the permanent opening of the Jordan-Israel Allenby crossing.