Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Lebanon asks TotalEnergies to launch gas search ‘immediately’
Lebanese protesters sail near an Israeli Navy vessel during a demonstration Lebanese protesters on a motorboat carry their national flag as they sail in front of an Israeli Navy vessel during a demonstration backing Lebanon's claims to disputed maritime oil and gas fields, near the southern border town of Naqoura, Lebanon, September 4, 2022. (AP/Mohammed Zaatari)
Lebanon asks French energy giant TotalEnergies to kick-start gas exploration off its shores, after Israel said the two countries have reached a US-mediated deal to settle their maritime border.
Lebanon’s search for gas riches in the hydrocarbon-rich eastern Mediterranean has stalled since 2020 over competing claims with Israel over offshore gas fields.
Following Israel’s announcement, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, meets a visiting delegation from TotalEnergies — which was awarded an exploration license in 2018.
“During the meeting, Mikati called on representatives of TotalEnergies to immediately begin taking operational steps to drill in Lebanese waters,” his office says in a statement.
