Lebanese Shiite movements reject delegation to Israeli border talks

Beirut, Oct. 14, (dpa/GNA) – Lebanon’s Shiite movements, Hezbollah and Amal, said early Wednesday that they reject the make-up of the Lebanese delegation being sent to maritime border talks with Israel, as it includes civilians.

In a joint statement both parties said the agreement was only to send military officials and not civilians to the talks, due to be held later Wednesday.

“… that was the basis of the understanding on which the framework agreement was based…the parties therefore call for an immediate return on this decision and to set up a delegation in line with the framework agreement.”

The presidential palace unveiled on Monday names of the delegation and said it will be headed by Air Force Brigadier General Bassam Yassin, Navy Colonel Mazen Basbous, Lebanese Petroleum Administration board member Wissam Chbat and maritime affairs expert Najib Massihi.

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri announced earlier this month that the negotiations will be carried out by the Lebanese army under the supervision of the president.

Israel and Lebanon are officially at war and there are recurring tensions along the border between the Israeli army and members of the Hezbollah movement.

The conflict between the two countries stems from demarcation methods, concerning about 856 square kilometres of waters.

The issue grew following natural gas discoveries in the Mediterranean Sea, as both countries claim gas deposits there for themselves.

The parliamentary bloc of Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said last week that the planned talks have “nothing to do with the context of reconciliation with Israel or the normalization policies that have been adopted by Arab countries.”
GNA