Israel considering US-led talks with Lebanon on maritime border

The Israeli government on Monday expressed openness to discussions led by the U.S. about disagreements with Lebanon over the countries’ shared maritime border.

Talks could be “for the good of both countries’ interests in developing natural gas reserves and oil” the office of Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz’s office said in a statement, according to Reuters.

{mosads}The statement reportedly follows Steinitz’s meeting with U.S. envoy David Satterfield. 

The U.S. and Lebanese governments did not immediately offer comment, according to Reuters. 

The Middle Eastern nations have been in discord over borders, affecting about 330 square miles of the sea, the news service noted. Gas fields have been discovered in the disputed area.