UN chief welcomes Lebanon-Israel maritime boundary deal

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed a deal between Lebanon and Israel on the resolution of their maritime boundary dispute, said his spokesman.

"The secretary-general welcomes the announcements that the governments of Lebanon and Israel have formally agreed to settle their maritime boundary dispute, as mediated by the United States. He strongly believes this encouraging development can promote increased stability in the region and enhanced prosperity for the Lebanese and Israeli peoples," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

The United Nations remained committed to assisting the parties, as requested, said the statement.

The secretary-general reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to support the effective implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which deals with the aftermath of the 2006 Lebanon War between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as other relevant resolutions that remain essential to the stability of the region, said the statement.

The leaders of Lebanon and Israel announced Tuesday that the two countries had agreed to resolve a decades-long dispute over their maritime boundary in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.