- Title: Lebanese cautiously optimistic about maritime border deal with Israel
- Date: 14th October 2022
- Summary: BEIRUT, LEBANON (OCTOBER 14, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER KIOSK / NEWSPAPERS ON DISPLAY ANNAHAR NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READING (Arabic): "(PRESIDENT MICHEL) AOUN ANNOUNCES "THE ACHIEVEMENT... AND IMPLEMENTS IT IN THE QUALIFICATIONS"
- Embargoed: 28th October 2022 16:06
- Keywords: Israel Lebanon USA maritime reaction
- Location: VARIOUS, LEBANON
- City: VARIOUS, LEBANON
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: Middle East,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001223314102022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Lebanese citizens were optimistic on Friday (October 14) about a U.S.-brokered maritime border deal with Israel but expressed doubts about how this will affect their daily lives.
Lebanon's President Michel Aoun announced on Thursday (October 13) his country's acceptance of the deal, saying talks had come to "a positive end" but insisted it did not pave the way to normalization of relations with Israel.
Lebanon was also pushing for the agreement as a possible means to pulling the country out of a three-year financial meltdown that has left more than 80% of the population poor and cost the local pound more than 95% of its value.
"We hope for the best regarding this (agreement) because Lebanon is drowning in the mud," said Sami, a Lebanese citizen in Beirut.
"But if Lebanon's interest is in this deal, as all officials and everyone see, then it's good. We don't mind, we just want the country to get better, with water and electricity," said another citizen, Kamal al-Choufi.
The maritime deal will open the door to more exploration on both sides but does not resolve a longstanding disagreement over the land boundary between Israel and Lebanon.
Still, Aoun said it would grant "stability" on both sides of the border.
In southern Lebanon, residents highlighted Hezbollah's role in reaching this agreement and called it a "big victory".
Lebanon's Hezbollah, a powerful armed movement that considers Israel its sworn enemy, has green-lit the U.S.-mediated deal , two senior Lebanese sources told Reuters on Tuesday (October 11)
Aoun's announcement on Thursday (October 13) does not officially mean the deal has come into force. According to a draft text seen by Reuters, the understanding will take effect once Lebanon and Israel send letters to Washington, which will issue a notice announcing the deal is in place.
Israel and Lebanon are then to send the coordinates of the border to the United Nations to be officially recognized.
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