Berri: Israeli entity's conclusion of exploration contracts constitutes a violation of the framework agreement

In an issued statement today, House Speaker Nabih Berri called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take ''urgent and immediate action in the direction of the UN Security Council and the international community to verify the possibility of a new Israeli attack on Lebanese sovereignty and rights,'' following reports received about the "Halliburton" company winning the contract to explore for oil and gas in the disputed area between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.

Berri stressed that "the Israeli entity's undertaking commissions and concluding offshore exploration contracts for Halliburton or other companies in the disputed area at sea represents a violation, or even a blow to the framework agreement sponsored by the United States of America and the United Nations."

He also considered that "the reluctance and procrastination of the alliance of Total Novatek and Eni companies in starting the drilling operations, which were supposed to begin several months ago in Block No. 9 of the Lebanese side of the maritime borders, raises major questions."

"The Israeli entity’s persistence in its aggression represents a threat to international peace and security,'' Berri emphasized.