Lebanese MoD: Israeli provocation in the disputed area calls for action

Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Slim considered that the Israeli activity in the disputed area in southern Lebanon "constitutes a challenge and provocation to Lebanon and is a flagrant breach of stability in Southern Lebanon."

The Minister of Defense said, "Once again, Israel steps on all international laws and norms and is trying to create a fait accompli on the Lebanese borders, thus thwarting the efforts made for the resumption of negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime borders, in which the United States plays the role of mediator, and which are being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations."

He also called on the international community and the United Nations to put an end to the renewed Israeli provocations and to "implement international resolutions to anticipate any [Israeli-provoked] security deterioration in southern Lebanon, which would have repercussions on stability in the region."

President Aoun and caretaker PM Mikati

Earlier in the day, Lebanese President Michel Aoun discussed with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati the issue of the entry of the Energean Power vessel into the disputed maritime area with "Israel", noting that any activity in that area currently constitutes a "hostile act".

The Lebanese presidency issued a statement, in which it said that Aoun discussed with Mikati "the entry of the Energean Power vessel into the disputed maritime area with Israel and asked the army command to provide it with accurate and official data to build on the matter."

President Aoun said that "negotiations to demarcate the southern maritime borders are still ongoing, and any action or activity in the disputed area constitutes a provocation and a hostile act."

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Sunday, that "the Israeli enemy's attempts to create a new crisis, by encroaching on Lebanon's water wealth and imposing a fait accompli in a disputed area in which Lebanon adheres to its rights is extremely dangerous and would cause unimaginable tensions," adding that "nobody can guess its repercussions."

Mikati urged "the United Nations and all concerned to remedy the situation and compel the Israeli enemy to stop its provocations."

This comes after the new European ship "Energean Power", which was built specifically for the Karish field located off the southern Lebanese coast with Palestine, crossed the Suez Canal sailing from the port of Singapore to the shore of the Palestinian village of Tantura.