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Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday said Israel and Lebanon had reached a “historic” agreement to resolve a decades-long maritime border dispute, saying it would prove a boon to the Israeli economy.
“This is an historic achievement that will strengthen Israel’s security, inject billions into Israel’s economy, and ensure the stability of our northern border,” Lapid said in a statement.
The deal looked set to falter only last week when Israel said it would not give in to Lebanese demands to amend the U.S.-drafted agreement.
Marathon talks took place over the weekend between the two sides via Biden administration’s energy envoy, Amos Hochstein, the statement from Lapid’s office said.
Lapid said he will convene the Security Cabinet as well as a special meeting of the government to present the deal on Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel’s national security chief Eyal Hulata and head of the negotiating team in the maritime talks, said the final agreement meets all Israel’s demands.
“All our demands were met, the changes that we asked for were corrected. We protected Israel’s security interests and are on our way to an historic agreement,” Hulata, said in a statement.
