U.S. welcomes Lebanese efforts to develop petroleum sector

BEIRUT, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A senior U.S. diplomat on Wednesday hailed Lebanon's efforts to date to develop its petroleum sector, which is of vital importance to the national economy.

Visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Diplomacy, Amos Hochstein, on Wednesday discussed with Lebanese leaders and businessmen in the oil and gas sector the economic situation in Lebanon, as well as other regional energy issues.

Hochstein welcomed Lebanon's work to establish the framework for its oil and gas sector, and encouraged the Ministry of Energy and Water to continue implementing fair and transparent regulations to develop the energy sector in a way that promotes Lebanon's peace and prosperity.

A statement by the U.S. embassy in Beirut said the U.S. diplomat also welcomed the upcoming offshore bid round, which has attracted widespread interest from the international energy industry.

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