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Source: http://www.nysun.com/foreign/next-flashpoint-in-mideast-could-be-gas-fields/87184/
Next Mideast Flashpoint Could Be Mediterranean Gas Fields
(New York Sun) Benny Avni - The Beirut government's threats to defend its maritime "rights" began last summer, immediately after Israel's offshore gas explorations showed signs of positive results, and it is now raising the tone of its demands. According to an Israeli official, none of the five major gas discoveries to date are close enough to the Lebanese border to be seriously in dispute. Jerusalem would gladly demarcate the maritime border with Lebanon as part of a comprehensive peace deal, he added, pointing out that Israel recently demarcated its maritime border with Cyprus. Lebanon has never agreed to negotiate directly with Israel, which it considers an enemy.