Statement on the Conclusion of the Israel-Lebanon Maritime Agreement

I am proud to congratulate Israel and Lebanon on officially concluding their agreement to resolve their longstanding maritime boundary dispute. Today, in Naqoura, Lebanon, both parties took the final steps to bring the agreement into force and submitted the final paperwork to the United Nations in the presence of the United States.

As I said when this historic agreement was announced, it will secure the interests of both Israel and Lebanon, and it sets the stage for a more stable and prosperous region. The United States will continue to serve as a facilitator as the parties work to uphold their commitments and implement this agreement. Energy—particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean—should not be a cause for conflict, but a tool for cooperation, stability, security, and prosperity. This agreement takes us one step closer to realizing a vision for a Middle East that is more secure, integrated, and prosperous, delivering benefits for all the people of the region.