Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun and Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid both signed on 27 October the ratification of a US brokered maritime border deal between the two countries (MEES, 14 October). The letters were delivered to US Special Energy Envoy Amos Hochstein in Naqoura in southern Lebanon where the talks have taken place.

Speaking ahead of the cabinet meeting that rubber-stamped the deal, Mr Lapid said that it was “a diplomatic achievement,” adding that “it is not every day that an enemy country recognizes the State of Israel.” This angle though was played down by Mr Aoun who said the deal “has no political dimensions or impact that contradict Lebanon’s foreign policy” of not recognizing Israel. (CONTINUED - 260 WORDS)