Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on the Conclusion of the Israel-Lebanon Maritime Boundary Dispute

BRIEFING ROOM

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

I am proud to congratulate Israel and Lebanon on officially concluding their agreement to resolve their long-standing maritime boundary dispute.  Today in Naqoura, Lebanon, both Parties took the final steps to bring the agreement into force and submitted the final paperwork to the United Nations in the presence of the United States.  

As I said when this historic agreement was announced, it will secure the interests of both Israel and Lebanon, and it sets the stage for a more stable and prosperous region.  The United States will continue to serve as a facilitator as the parties work to uphold their commitments and implement this agreement. Energy—particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean—should not be a cause for conflict, but a tool for cooperation, stability, security, and prosperity.  This agreement takes us one step closer to realizing a vision for a Middle East that is more secure, integrated, and prosperous, delivering benefits for all the people of the region.

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Statement by Secretary Blinken: Historic Agreement Establishing a Permanent Israel-Lebanon Maritime Boundary

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

October 27, 2022

Historic Agreement Establishing a Permanent Israel-Lebanon Maritime Boundary

The United States congratulates the Governments of Israel and Lebanon for finalizing their agreement, facilitated by the United States, to establish a permanent maritime boundary. This historic achievement will advance security, stability, and prosperity for the region, and it demonstrates the transformative power of American diplomacy.

This agreement meaningfully demonstrates the U.S. vision for a more secure, integrated, and prosperous Middle East. Equally beneficial to both Israel and Lebanon, it will strengthen the economic and security interests of Israel, while promoting critically needed foreign investment for the Lebanese people as they face a devastating economic crisis. The region and beyond will soon reap the benefit of these energy resources that will advance security, stability, and prosperity.

This historic agreement would not have been possible without the persistence and diplomacy of the leaders of Israel and Lebanon, and the hard work of Special Presidential Coordinator Hochstein and the State Department team in bringing the parties to an agreement. Their achievement will have long-lasting ramifications for the region.

Special Presidential Coordinator Hochstein’s Travel to Lebanon and Israel

MEDIA NOTE

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON

OCTOBER 26, 2022

Special Presidential Coordinator Amos Hochstein will travel to Lebanon today to finalize the historic agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between Lebanon and Israel.  In Beirut, Hochstein will meet with President Michel Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati to extend his gratitude to each for the consultative and open spirit demonstrated throughout the negotiations, the foundations of which were created under Speaker Berri's leadership by the 2020 Framework.

Hochstein will then travel to Naqoura to take the final steps to bring Israel and Lebanon's agreement into force.  The Parties will then submit the maritime coordinates to the United Nations in the presence of the United States.  Hochstein will then travel to Israel where he will meet with Prime Minister Yair Lapid and thank him and his team for their persistent and principled diplomacy to reach resolution on this critical file.

Ambassador Shea’s Remarks on the Maritime Boundary Agreement

Remarks as Presented

October 11, 2022

مرحبا من السفارة الأميركية ببيروت

As President Biden announced in a statement just a short time ago, I am pleased to address you tonight following a historic breakthrough regarding demarcation of the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel.  After months of mediation by the United States, led by Special Presidential Coordinator Amos Hochstein, the governments of Lebanon and Israel have agreed to formally end their maritime boundary dispute and establish permanent maritime boundary between them.

President Biden spoke today with President Aoun and Prime Minister Lapid, who confirmed their readiness to move forward on this historic agreement.  In his phone call with President Aoun, President Biden offered his congratulations.  And it is my distinct honor to also congratulate the people of Lebanon and to address you on this issue.

I should begin by expressing to all those involved our profound gratitude, starting with President Aoun and his team; Speaker Berri, and his principal adviser; and Prime Minister Mikati.  And there are many others in the government who also played constructive roles in these negotiations… too many to mention by name. But I will single out the Deputy Speaker of Parliament for his tireless efforts.

The agreement your government and the government of Israel announced today will provide for the development of energy fields for the benefit of both countries. Your country can look forward to harnessing vital new energy resources.  This sets the stage for a more stable and prosperous Lebanon.  This agreement promotes foreign investment in your country, which is critical against the backdrop of the devastating economic situation.

The deal allows exploration and exploitation of known and future hydrocarbon fields, bringing new energy resources onto the global market in a manner that also promotes regional stability.  It will be important now that all parties uphold their commitments and work toward implementation of this deal.

Again, congratulations to all involved.

ألف مبروك. شكراً.  Thank you.

By U.S. Embassy Beirut

Historic Breakthrough on the Israel-Lebanon Maritime Boundary

10/11/2022 08:05 PM EDT

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Following years of mediation by the United States, the Governments of Israel and Lebanon today announced consensus on an historic agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between the two countries. This breakthrough promises to usher in a new era of prosperity and stability in the Middle East and will provide vital energy to the people of the region and to the world. Beyond delivering tremendous benefits to the Lebanese and Israeli people, today's announcement demonstrates the power of regional cooperation to meet shared challenges in the Middle East and beyond. It also underscores the transformative power of American diplomacy.

This agreement protects the economic and security interests of Israel and Lebanon and marks a new chapter for the people in the region. I thank the leaders of Israel and Lebanon for their willingness to negotiate in the best interests of their people, and I thank Special Presidential Coordinator Amos Hochstein and his team for their tireless diplomatic work in bringing the parties together to accomplish this deal. It is now critical that all parties rapidly finalize the agreement and uphold their commitments to work toward implementation to the benefit of the region and world.

Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with President Michel Aoun of Lebanon

BRIEFING ROOM

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

OCTOBER 11, 2022

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke today with President Michel Aoun of Lebanon to congratulate him on this historic breakthrough agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between Lebanon and Israel. President Biden expressed appreciation to President Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati for the consultative and open spirit demonstrated throughout the negotiations. He highlighted the tireless work of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab in liaising with the U.S. team to conclude this deal. Furthermore, President Biden conveyed that the United States remains committed to the Lebanese people and to supporting stability and sovereignty within Lebanon. He also conveyed his hope that today's announcement will mark a new chapter for the Lebanese people. He noted the United States remains ready to facilitate resolution of issues that may arise under the agreement, if called upon by the parties. President Biden also reaffirmed his hope that presidential elections happen on time in a manner consistent with the Lebanese constitution.  

Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Israel

BRIEFING ROOM

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Israel to congratulate him on a historic breakthrough agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between Israel and Lebanon. The President commended the Prime Minister's persistent and principled diplomacy and praised his team for the consultative spirit demonstrated throughout months of talks mediated by the United States.  The President underscored his unshakeable commitment to Israel's security and discussed how the agreement announced today not only preserves and further enhances Israel's security and economic interests, but also creates new opportunities for Israel's regional integration and national prosperity.  He stressed that the United States remains ready to facilitate resolution of issues that may arise under the agreement, if called upon by the parties.