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Israel Will Protect Natural Gas Finds
(Bloomberg) Jonathan Ferziger and David Wainer - Israeli Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau said Israel is willing to use force to protect off-shore natural gas finds, after the speaker of Lebanon's parliament said the fields extended into his nation's waters. "We will not hesitate to use our force and strength to protect not only the rule of law but international maritime law," Landau said Wednesday when asked about Lebanese claims. "Whatever we find, they will have something to say....These areas are within the economic waters of Israel." Israel and Lebanon are technically at war and have no diplomatic relations. A coastal state is entitled to explore for oil and gas in its economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles, according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. A halfway point is used when the distance between countries is less than 400 nautical miles. The Leviathan field lies 81 miles off Israel and the Tamar field 55 miles, according to Landau's ministry. Landau noted that there is no dispute with Cyprus over Israel's rights to the Leviathan gas exploration site and the Tamar field.