Israeli and Lebanese leaders as well as US President Joe Biden this week hailed a “historic” maritime border agreement between the two long-standing adversaries.

“I hope that the end of these negotiations will be a promising beginning that lays the foundation stone for an economic revival that Lebanon needs by completing oil and gas exploration, which will provide stability, security and development that our country needs,” Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on 13 October during a televised address to the country to announce Beirut’s approval of the deal. “This indirect agreement responds to Lebanese demands and maintains all our rights,” he added. (CONTINUED - 1921 WORDS)