BEIRUT, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's House Speaker Nabih Berri said "good progress" is being made with Israel in solving land and sea border disputes between the two countries, a local newspaper reported Wednesday.
"There is a good progress in this regard but more steps are needed to solve this issue entirely," Berri was quoted as saying by Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.
Among the issues that should be negotiated between the two countries is the time frame for reaching a deal over demarcation of the border, he noted.
"Israel wants to limit talks to six months while Lebanon does not want to put a time limit," Berri explained.
According to the Lebanese Speaker, the only reason behind Israel's positive attitude, however, is that it wants to start oil and gas exploration in its water territories.
"Israel is looking for international companies to start oil and gas exploration in its oil territories. No companies will be encouraged to be involved in such a project if this issue was not solved between Lebanon and Israel," Berri said.
Berri's remarks came following his meeting on Tuesday in Lebanon with David Satterfield, acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who has been shuttling between the two countries in a bid to revive talks to draw the maritime borders.
Lebanon has an unresolved maritime border with Israel that involves a triangular sea area of about 860 square km extending along the edge of three of its 10 offshore energy blocks.
In late April, Berri said Beirut was prepared to demarcate its maritime border with Israel under the supervision of the United Nations.
