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3. Cyprus Border Deal Reaffirms Mikati’s 2011 Decision

The Cabinet is set to approve the Lebanon-Cyprus maritime border agreement, despite claims that Lebanon forfeited around 5,000 square kilometers along the median line of the two countries’ exclusive economic zones. Lebanese negotiators assert that these claims have no basis in international law, and studies indicate that disputing them would have offered no additional benefits while potentially jeopardizing the agreement.

Sources emphasized that Lebanon’s move formalizes what was outlined in Decree 6433, issued in 2011 under Prime Minister Mikati and submitted to the United Nations. The decree corrected Lebanon’s 2007 initiative under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. In the south, the maritime line between Lebanon and Cyprus was extended from Point 1 to Point 23, creating a tripoint with Israel. In the north, the line runs from Point 6 to Point 7, shared with Cyprus, with Syria’s approval required for it to also become a tripoint among Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus.

Once the Cabinet approves the agreement, the presidents of Lebanon and Cyprus will be able to sign the maritime border treaty, which will then be submitted to Parliament for ratification.

With the demarcation with Cyprus finalized, Lebanon is still awaiting the start of negotiations with Syria. Lebanese sources said Syria is expected to join talks to confirm the agreement on Point 7, noting that the Lebanon-Cyprus deal strengthens Lebanon’s position in any future negotiations. They emphasized that Lebanon’s rights regarding this point vis-à-vis Syria are clear and firmly established under international law.