US Ambassador Dorothy Shea in Baabda. (Credit: Dalati and Nohra/File)
BEIRUT — US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea commented Tuesday night on the progress made between Lebanon and Israel on the resolution of their maritime border dispute, indicating that the agreement reached "sets the stage for a more stable and prosperous Lebanon."
In a video released by the US embassy, Shea indicated that the maritime border demarcation agreement between Lebanon and Israel "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," she stressed, addressing the Lebanese people.
This agreement will promote foreign investment in the country, she said, "which is critical against the backdrop of the devastating economic situation, as it allows exploration and exploitation of known and future hydrocarbon fields bringing new energy resources onto the global market in a manner that also enhances regional stability."
Finally, she called on and reiterated for all parties to "uphold their commitments and work toward implementation of this deal."
After tense negotiations led by the United States, Israel announced it had reached a "historic" agreement with Lebanon to delimit their maritime border and remove key obstacles to the development of gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean.
Lebanese president Michel Aoun said he hoped the agreement would be "announced as soon as possible."