TEL AVIV, 2 October 2020, (TON): An agreement between the two countries, who are still formally at war, would allow them to tap offshore natural-gas reserves

A resolution would allow Israel and Lebanon to pursue natural-gas production in the 330-square-mile disputed area. Israel's offshore Leviathan gas field in the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to begin U.S.-brokered talks this month aimed at resolving a long-running maritime border dispute, an achievement that would allow both sides to exploit natural-gas reserves in the disputed area off their eastern Mediterranean coasts.

The U.S.-mediated talks between the foes, who are still formally at war, will begin in about two weeks at a United Nations base in the city of Naqoura on the Lebanese side of their de facto land border. Israel and Lebanon have regular indirect contacts at the same base to discuss border violations.

“Our presumptive goal is to arrive at a peaceful resolution on the matter of the exclusive economic zone bordering between Israel and Lebanon in a way that benefits both neighboring nations,” said Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, who is overseeing Israel’s participation in the talks.

Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker said he would serve as the U.S. mediator of the discussions. Army officials will participate for Lebanon.

Lebanese officials, whose management of the country has been under fire since the August port explosion, are pinning their hopes on possible oil and gas reserves to steer Lebanon away from economic ruin. “If the demarcation succeeds...that would be one of the reasons behind us paying our debt,” said Nabih Berri, Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker, who has led negotiations with Washington on Lebanon’s behalf.