Energy War? Lebanon Warns Israel ‘Playing with Fire’ Offshore

[Lucid]

Lebanon has warned Israel it is “playing with fire” by staking out energy claims in the Mediterranean Sea, where Beirut says Israel’s discoveries are in its territory.

The Israeli Cabinet, heading off another dispute similar to the Sheba Farms land dispute at the northern border, approved a “marine economic zone proposal” Sunday after Lebanon presented maps to the United Nations, marking maritime borders that would include part of the giant Leviathan and Tamar fields. The United Nations previously has refused to take responsibility for marking the maritime borders.

The Lebanese daily As-Safir, in an article under the headline “War of Oil: Another Phase of Israeli Offense,” reported that Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Joubran Bassil said Israel “is playing with fire “by violating Lebanon’s maritime border and oil rights.”

He added, “Obviously we will prevent any violation. However, in case of violation, Israel will not be the only damaged part, but also large companies that cooperate with it. We, in Lebanon, respect the rights of others, and we don’t want to violate the rights of others, but at the same time, we do not want someone to attack us. Lebanon will not give up its rights or its borders”

Israeli firms discovered the gas fields, which also are believed to hold large commercially viable oil deposits, two years ago. Afterwards, Lebanon said the discoveries are in its territory, and it recently has announced that a Norwegian company will start a seismic research offshore.

Hizbullah, with its eyes on the rich reserves, previously has threatened that Israel is risking war by planning to “steal” its offshore energy reserves.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/145563

[TBRSoon]

Wow things are continuing to escalate over there. Already they don't like Israel's oil discovery. Tick tock...

[Pudding]

Vice Premier: Iran, Hezbollah behind Lebanon protest over Israel sea border

Moshe Ya'alon tells cabinet Iran and Hezbollah decided to turn maritime border into point of contention after Israel announced natural gas discoveries.

The Vice Prime Minister and Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya'alon said at a meeting of cabinet ministers on Sunday that Iran and Hezbollah are behind the government of Lebanon's petition to the United Nations concerning the maritime border with Israel.

Ya'alon said that Iran and Hezbollah are purposefully trying to create a new source of friction with Israel.

"We signed an agreement with Cyprus that is in keeping with its agreement with Lebanon," said Ya'alon. "When we announced our gas drilling, the Iranians and Hezbollah decided that it would be a good excuse for conflict with us."

"They decided to sketch a new border south of the line that was agreed to in talks between Lebanon and Cyprus, and basically entered our territory," Ya'alon continued. "It was done with premeditation in order to create conflict with us, just like the Sheba Farms."

More at source