Vers un accord au sujet du contentieux maritime israëlo-libanais ?
Lebanon : The Oil & Gas Week, November 11, 2013 | Middle East Strategic Perspectives
►http://www.mestrategicperspectives.com/2013/11/10/lebanon-the-oil-gas-week-november-11-2013
The maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel was the subject of increased attention since the publication of an article in the Israeli business magazine Globes on 29/10 claiming that Israel rejected a US compromise, although the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to comment on the subject. In an interesting development, a Lebanese official source talking to Lebanese daily Assafir on 31/10 denied the claim. The “Lebanese official source” is likely to be caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil, who told Assafir on 02/11 that the news about Israel rejecting the US compromise is incorrect.
The leak comes at a time the US initiative is said to have reached an advanced stage. The quick denial by a Lebanese minister is significant and indicates Lebanon seems to be satisfied with the US initiative and would like it to proceed. The leak also coincides with a resumption of tension between Lebanon and Israel on multiple fronts.
Toutefois, les choses ne sont pas si simples et les différences de vue entre forces politiques locales - sans parler du gouvernement syrien - existent aussi :
Baath Party MP and member of the Energy and Water Committee at the Parliament, Assem Qanso warned that once exploration licenses are awarded “caretaker PM Najib Mikati, MP Walid Joumblat and caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil and others” will amass billions of dollars. The pro-Syrian regime MP slammed the “sectarian” Petroleum Administration, established with “the sole purpose of sharing profits”. Qanso believes that the absence of a petroleum ministry facilitates the embezzlement of billions of dollars. The subtle messages that one can extract from Qanso’s declarations recently is that pro-Syrian regime factions expect to recover some of their lost political influence, and they prefer to hold up oil and gas exploration until a more favorable government is in place.
#Liban
#gaz
#pétrole
