Lebanon, Israel Reportedly to Begin Indirect Talks on Border Issues

(Bloomberg) -- Lebanon and Israel will begin indirect negotiations to resolve longstanding land and maritime border disputes, the Beirut-based Al Akhbar newspaper reported.

Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri is scheduled to present later Thursday a framework for talks that will be held under the auspices of the United Nations with the U.S. acting as a mediator, Al-Akhbar newspaper said. No launch date was given.

There was no immediate comment from a spokesperson for the Israeli energy minister.

Israel has said indirect negotiations collapsed in 2013, and the U.S. has been trying to revive them.

The neighboring countries, which are technically in a state of war, have competing claims to disputed land and maritime areas, including what may be energy-rich waters. Resolving the dispute would be a significant political achievement and could mitigate risk for energy companies looking to drill in a volatile region.

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